Actor George Wendt Dead At 76

Actor George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers, has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed to multiple outlets on Tuesday (May 20).

Wendt's family said he died peacefully in his sleep at his home early Tuesday morning, though his official cause of death was unclear at the time of publication.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” a rep for Wendt said in a statement obtained by the Hollywood Reporter. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

Wendt, a Chicago native got his first big break with the famed Second City improvisational comedy troupe in the 1970s and appeared in several television shows and films before landing his signature role on Cheers in 1982, appearing in all 275 episodes from 1982 to 1993 -- an accomplishment only matched by Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman -- and receiving six consecutive Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

Wendt also appeared as Bob Swerski in the iconic reoccurring 'Bill Swerski's Superfans' Saturday Night Live skits as the brother of the title character, played by Joe Mantegna in the original sketch that aired when he hosted the show on January 12, 1991, with Bob taking over as host in subsequent sketches.

Wendt's film credits also include Dreamscape (1984), House (1985), Fletch (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Plains Clothes (1987), Never Say Die (1988), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Forever Young (1992) and Spice World (1997). The actor was also the uncle of Ted Lasso star and former SNL cast member Jason Sudeikis, who is the only son of one of his six sisters.