Cheers star George Wendt poses for a portrait in October 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images / Aaron Rapoport
George Wendt, the American actor best known for his role as the curmudgeonly Norm Peterson in Cheers, has died, a representative said on Tuesday (US time).
Wendt, who was 76, was nominated for six successive Emmy awards for his role as the perennial barfly opposite Ted Danson in one of television's most successful sitcoms ever.
"George's family confirmed the news of his death early Tuesday morning, announcing he died peacefully in his sleep while at home," the family's representative, Melissa Nathan, told AFP.
"George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him.
"He will be missed forever."
Actor George Wendt. Photo: AFP/CINDY ORD
Wendt was also uncle to Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis.
The heavyset Norm was one of the regulars who sat at the bar in Cheers, swapping banter with postman Cliff (played by John Ratzenberger) and psychiatrist Frasier Crane (played by Kelsey Grammer), among others.
The three had beers served to them by head barman Danson and his younger - and somewhat dimmer - sidekick Woody, played by Woody Harrelson.
Wendt's character was famously greeted by a unanimous shout of "Norm!" from every patron in the bar every time he walked in, followed each time by a witty one-liner in response to Danson or Harrelson's "What'll you have?"
-AFP
