‘Cheers’ Stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman and More Pay Tribute to George Wendt: ‘It Was Impossible Not to Like Him’

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news spread rapidly that George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on “Cheers”, had passed away at the age of 76 on Tuesday. His family confirmed the sad news. In the classic sitcom, Wendt’s character, a witty and self-effacing barfly, was a fan favorite. He earned six Emmy nominations in a row for his performance and appeared in every one of the 273 episodes, even starring in the final scene alongside Ted Danson.

Danson expressed his deep sorrow upon learning that Georgie has passed away. He extended his heartfelt sympathies to Bernadette and their children, acknowledging it will be difficult for him to accept this reality. ‘I’ll always cherish you, Georgie,’ he added.

John Ratzenberger, a co-star, expressed deep sorrow upon hearing about George Wendt’s demise. In a statement, he noted that Wendt played the character of Cliff Clavin, the wise postal worker, throughout the show’s first nine seasons. For over a decade on ‘Cheers’, we worked together, shared countless laughs, and witnessed one of television’s most cherished friendships unfold. Wendt masterfully breathed life into the character of Norm with an understated genius – a talent that seemed effortless.

He was an authentic artisan – modest, amusing, and brimming with kindness. The character you saw on screen mirrored the man off screen, complete with exceptional comedic delivery and unwavering affection for those he cared about,” Ratzenberg added. “I’ll miss our chats and the precious moments of camaraderie that held the most value. My thoughts are with his wife Bernadette, their kids, and everyone who cherished him.

Rhea Perlman, George Wendt’s ‘Cheers’ co-star who portrayed waitress Carla Tortelli, fondly recalled Wendt as the most charming and compassionate individual she had ever encountered. She stated that it was impossible not to adore him. In the series, her character frequently found herself near Wendt’s character due to Norm (Wendt) always occupying the same bar stool. This proximity allowed her the opportunity to rough him up at least once a week, an act she enjoyed and he pretended not to mind. She adored this playful interaction. Her heartache over his passing cannot be fully expressed with words.

external admiration for Wendt also poured in, as Melissa Joan Hart – famous for her role in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” – took to Instagram to reminisce about his guest spots on the show.

Heaven now has an extra dash of humor thanks to George Wendt. It was a joy to act alongside him in ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ for several episodes. As a huge fan of ‘Cheers’, I knew I was working with one of the greats when he joined us on set. He was always warm, professional, and kind, making our cast and crew feel privileged to have him around. Rest in peace.

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2025-05-21 02:48