One of George Wendt’s final public appearances before his death was definitely a wholesome one.
In August 2024, the actor, who died at age 76, reunited with his Cheers co-stars Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson for an episode of the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast. During their conversation, the trio looked back on the NBC sitcom, which ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993.
“My agent called and said, ‘You know, honey, they want you to do this Cheers,’” Wendt said of his casting process for Cheers. “‘Now you’re not available,’ because I had this other show [Making the Grade] at Paramount for CBS. Then they go, ‘But they want you to come in anyway, and it’s really small, though. I go, ‘Oh, okay.’”
Wendt recalled initially auditioning to say just one word in the pilot, which was “beer.” After describing the scene with Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers to Danson and Harrelson, he said the casting team later realized one word wasn’t enough. That’s when he auditioned for another character, ultimately landing the role of Norm Peterson.
“I read it and then they decided they were going to try to make it work out where I could do both shows, and then the other show got canceled,” Wendt added.
Wendt, Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer and John Ratzenberger also reunited at the 75th Emmy Awards in January 2024 to celebrate the show.
Danson was among those who paid tribute to Wendt on Tuesday, sharing with The Hollywood Reporter, “I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us. I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”
NBC also shared in a statement following his death, “Watching him walk through that door and head to his barstool, America couldn’t wait to say hi to Norm every Thursday night. George Wendt was an essential part of the genius of ‘Cheers’ and he will be missed by the millions who loved him. Norm was all of us. A regular guy who finished his hardworking day wanting to be surrounded by friends and a frosty beverage. We’re proud to raise a glass and toast a true comedy legend.”
During his time playing Norm, Wendt earned Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for six consecutive years. His other acting credits included Dreamscape, House, Modern Men, Fletch, Gung Ho, The Naked Truth, Plains Clothes, Never Say Die, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Guilty by Suspicion, Forever Young and Spice World.
