George Wendt, the actor best known for his role as Norm on Cheers died yesterday at the age of 76. He got his start in The Second City in Chicago in 1975, but left in 1980 to pursue a film and television career. Before landing his big break on Cheers, some of Wendt’s first Hollywood roles were on Taxi, Soap, and M*A*S*H.
He was in all 275 episodes of Cheers from 1982 to 1993. But in the original pilot script, there was no Norm Peterson! The character wasn’t meant to be a main role. Wendt and John Ratzenberger both tried out for the part of a minor character named George, who was only supposed to be in one episode as Diane Chambers’ first customer. The character eventually evolved into Norm. Meanwhile, Ratzenberger suggested to the producers that a know-it-all character should be added. They loved the idea and created the character of Cliff Clavin just for him. Wendt also made guest appearances on each of the sitcoms set in the Cheers universe – Frasier, Wings, and the short-lived spin off The Tortellis.
On Cheers, Norm’s wife Vera is often mentioned but never seen. The only time she’s seen, viewers can only see her legs and one time her waving from a car, which passes Cheers on her 15th wedding anniversary. Vera was played Wendt’s real-life wife, Bernadette. In the early 90s, Wendt also appeared in several episodes of SNL as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago Superfans (along with Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Robert Smigel and one-time host Joe Mantegna).
Wendt died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife and 3 children. Learn more here.