George Wendt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Wendt
Wendt in 1989
Born	George Robert Wendt Jr. (1948-10-17)October 17, 1948 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	May 20, 2025(2025-05-20) (aged 76) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Rockhurst University (BA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1978–2025
Known for	Norm Peterson in Cheers
Spouse(s)	Bernadette Birkett ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	3
Relatives	Tom Howard (grandfather) Jason Sudeikis (nephew)

George Robert Wendt Jr. (born October 17, 1948 – died May 20, 2025) was a well-known American actor. He became famous for playing the character Norm Peterson on the TV show Cheers. This popular show aired on NBC from 1982 to 1993. His role on Cheers earned him six nominations for a top acting award, the Primetime Emmy Award.

After Cheers ended, George Wendt starred in his own TV show called The George Wendt Show in 1995. He also appeared in many comedy movies like Fletch (1985) and The Little Rascals (1994). He also acted in dramas such as Somewhere in Time (1980).

On television, Wendt had roles in shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He also made guest appearances on famous shows like Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons. George Wendt also performed on stage, including playing Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray on Broadway in 2008.

Early Life and Education

George Robert Wendt Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Loretta Mary and George Robert Wendt Sr. His father was a U.S. Navy officer and a realtor. George was one of nine children, with six sisters and two brothers. His grandfather, Tom Howard, was a photographer.

George Wendt's family had Irish and German roots. His uncle was the actor and writer Jason Sudeikis, who was famous for Saturday Night Live.

Wendt went to Campion High School, a boarding school in Wisconsin. He later attended Rockhurst College in Missouri, where he earned a degree in economics in 1971.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in Comedy (1975–1981)

After college, George Wendt joined The Second City, a famous comedy theater in Chicago, in 1975. His first job there was sweeping floors! It was at Second City that he met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett. She later voiced Norm's unseen wife, Vera, on Cheers.

Before Cheers, Wendt had small roles in films like My Bodyguard (1980) and TV shows such as Taxi and M*A*S*H. In 1982, he got a regular role on the CBS sitcom Making the Grade, but it was a short-lived show.

Becoming a Star on Cheers (1982–1993)

From 1982 to 1993, George Wendt played Norm Peterson in every episode of Cheers. This role made him a household name. He was nominated six times for a Primetime Emmy Award for his acting on the show.

Norm was known for his grand entrance into the Cheers bar. In almost every episode, he was greeted with a loud "Norm!" and would make a funny comment as he walked to his favorite barstool. Jokes about Norm's wife, Vera (who was never seen), and his life were also popular running gags.

During his time on Cheers, Wendt also appeared in movies like Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) and Fletch (1985). He also hosted Saturday Night Live in 1985. In the early 1990s, he made guest appearances on SNL as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago Superfans. In 1991, he was in Michael Jackson's music video for "Black or White".

Life After Cheers (1994–1999)

Wendt's handprints in concrete at Walt Disney World

After Cheers, George Wendt starred in The George Wendt Show in 1995. He played a garage mechanic with a radio show. He also appeared on Seinfeld as himself and voiced Norm Peterson again on The Simpsons and Family Guy. He even played a bartender in the show Becker, which was the opposite of his role on Cheers.

In movies, he was in The Little Rascals (1994) and Man of the House (1995). He also appeared in the Spice Girls' movie Spice World (1997). In 1998, Wendt performed in the play 'Art' in London and later on Broadway.

Broadway and Other Roles (2000–2024)

In the 2000s, George Wendt continued to act in films and TV. He was in several episodes of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch in 2001. He also hosted the A&E reality show House of Dreams in 2004.

In 2008, he took on the role of Edna Turnblad in the Broadway musical Hairspray. He also played Santa Claus in the film Santa Buddies (2009) and in the Broadway musical Elf the Musical (2010).

Wendt appeared in a commercial for State Farm Insurance starting in 2013. He and Robert Smigel played their "Chicago Superfans" characters from SNL alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In 2015, he starred in the TBS sitcom Clipped. In 2023, George Wendt was a contestant on The Masked Singer as "Moose." In January 2024, he reunited with most of the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards.

Personal Life and Passing

George Wendt met actress Bernadette Birkett at The Second City theater in 1974. They got married in 1978. They had three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel.

George Wendt passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles on May 20, 2025, at the age of 76. He died from health issues. Many of his co-stars from Cheers, including Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer, shared their memories of him. His nephew, Jason Sudeikis, also paid tribute. The real-life Cheers bar in Boston honored him by setting up a memorial where his character used to sit.

Selected Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Theater Performances

Music Videos

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: George Wendt para niños