RIP: George Wendt
It was announced today that George Wendt died today. No cause of death was given. Mr. Wendt was 76.
George Wendt graduated from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, with a B.A. in economics. After seeing The Second City, Mr. Wendt became motivated to try his hand at comedy. In 1975, he became a part of The Second City troupe.
In 1978, Mr. Wendt appeared in his first feature film. It was an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s A Wedding. His next role didn’t come until 1980, but that year he appeared in Bronco Billy, My Bodyguard, Avery Schreiber Live from Second City and The Gift of the Magi. The roles just kept coming for the rest of his career.
George Wendt was best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers. Mr. Wendt appeared in all 269 episodes. Each year from 1984 – 1989, George Wendt was nominated for a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Norm.
If the only role George Wendt ever played was Norm on Cheers, he would still be an important (and loved) part of television history.
Some of the television projects that feature George Wendt include: Avery Schreiber Live from Second City; Hart to Hart; Soap; Taxi; Alice; Making the Grade (6 episodes); Cheers (269 episodes); Cheers: Uncle Sam Malone; M*A*S*H; Likely Stories, Vol. 4; Garfield Specials; Garfield in the Rough; St. Elsewhere; The Twilight Zone; The Tortellis; Mickey’s 60th Birthday; Arena; The Magical World of Disney; Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary Special; Wings; Tales from the Crypt; Michael Jackson: Black or White; Roc; Seinfeld; Bob; The Edge; The Building; The Larry Sanders Show; The Martin Short Show; The Simpsons; Columbo: Strange Bedfellows; The George Wendt Show (8 episodes); Good Company; Spin City; The Naked Truth (13 episodes); The List; Madigan Men (4 episodes); TV Funhouse; Strange Relations; Becker; Sabrina the Teenage Witch (6 episodes); Frasier; Saturday Night Live (8 episodes); George Lopez (2 episodes); Modern Men (7 episodes); Masters of Horror; Guy Walks into a Bar; The Green Grass; Family Guy (2 episodes); Less Than Kind; Ghost Whisperer; The Stay-at-Home Dad; Hot in Cleveland; Harry’s Law; The Seven Year Hitch; Kickin’ It; Portlandia; Franklin & Bash; Clipped (10 episodes); Children’s Hospital; Fresh Off the Boat; Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell; The Goldbergs; Christmas 9 to 5 and Fancy Nancy (11 episodes).
Some of George Wendt’s feature film appearances include: A Wedding; Bronco Billy; My Bodyguard; Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again; Airplane II: The Sequel; Dreamscape; Fletch; House; Gung Ho; Forever Young; The Little Rascals; The Prime Gig; Wild About Harry; Garage: A Rock Saga; Edmond; Saturday Morning; The Independents and I Lost My Body.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw George Wendt, but I do know that he was a HUGE part of Cheers’ success. Mr. Wendt was perfectly cast as Norm Peterson and his one-liners as he entered the bar each week were a highlight.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to George Wendt’s family, friends and fans.
