George Wendt’s Cheers costars Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman shared heartfelt tributes after the actor died on the age of 76.
The six-time Emmy-nominated actor died in his sleep at his residence on Tuesday morning, his household confirmed.
“George was a doting household man, a well-loved pal and confidant to all of these fortunate sufficient to have identified him. He might be missed without end,” a household consultant stated in a press release quoted by Selection.
“The household has requested privateness throughout this time.”
“I’m devastated to listen to that Georgie is not with us. I’m sending all my like to Bernadette and the youngsters. It’s going to take me a very long time to get used to this. I really like you, Georgie,” Ted Danson, who performed Cheers proprietor Sam Malone, stated in a press release.
Rhea Perlman, who starred in Cheers as barmaid Carla Tortelli, stated: “George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was inconceivable to not like him. As Carla, I used to be typically standing subsequent to him, as Norm all the time took the identical seat on the finish of the bar, which made it simple to seize him and beat the crap out of him at the least as soon as per week. I cherished doing it and he cherished pretending it didn’t harm. What a man! I’ll miss him greater than phrases can say.”
John Ratzenberger, who performed bar common and postman Cliff Clavin on the sitcom, stated: “I’m heartbroken to listen to concerning the passing of my pal George Wendt. For 11 years on ‘Cheers’, we shared a stage, loads of laughs and a front-row seat to one in every of tv’s most beloved friendships. George introduced Norm to life with a refined brilliance – the sort that made it look simple. That was his present. He was a real craftsman – humble, hilarious and stuffed with coronary heart. What you noticed on display screen was precisely who he was off display screen with impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty to these he cherished. I’ll miss our conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant essentially the most. My ideas are along with his spouse Bernadette, their kids, and everybody who cherished him.”
NBC Leisure posted on X: “Watching him stroll by means of that door and head to his barstool, America couldn’t wait to say hello to Norm each Thursday evening. George Wendt was an important a part of the genius of ‘Cheers’ and he might be missed by the tens of millions who cherished him. Norm was all of us. An everyday man who completed his hardworking day desirous to be surrounded by associates and a frosty beverage. We’re proud to boost a glass and toast a real comedy legend.”
Melissa Joan Hart shared a photograph with Wendt from when he starred as Mike Shelby on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. “Heaven simply bought just a little funnier with George Wendt. It was a thrill to work beside him on Sabrina the Teenage Witch for a handful of episodes. I used to be an enormous Cheers fan and knew I used to be amongst the most effective when he was on set. He was heat, skilled and sort and our solid and crew had been gifted along with his presence each time. Relaxation in peace!” she stated.
Actor Jeff Ross additionally shared a photograph with Wendt on Instagram, writing: “I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend some high quality time speaking with George Wendt a yr in the past at Huge Slick annual occasion benefiting Kids’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas Metropolis. He wasn’t feeling his greatest, however he nonetheless rose to the event and made 1000’s of individuals giggle lots for an important trigger. Cheers George – and wherever you’re I do know everyone is aware of your identify.”
Eric Allan Kramer, who had a visitor function in a 1989 Cheers episode, described Wendt as “one of many warmest, funniest guys I’ve ever come throughout”.
“Welcoming because the star he was, extremely giving as an actor in rehearsal (and when the cameras had been rolling),” he stated. “Additionally the primary one to verify I had a beer in my hand on the finish of the evening.”
No Small Affair costar John Cryer instructed Folks that he “met George on one in every of my first films and on daily basis we shot collectively I type of couldn’t consider it”.
“That I used to be working with one in every of my favorite actors in tv and he was simply such an absolute prince. He might be missed by many tens of millions who, similar to me, felt like Norm was a member of the household.”
Wendt’s tenured portrayal of Norm throughout 11 seasons of Cheers, from 1982 to 1993, earned him six Emmy nominations for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Comedy Collection.
He, Perlman and Danson had been the one actors to seem in each episode of the sitcom.
As soon as the beloved present ended, NBC thought of a derivative collection centered on Norm and Cliff as bar buddies, however that mission by no means got here to fruition.
Wendt did, nonetheless, reprise his character of Norm in a number of different reveals like St Elsewhere, Wings, The Simpsons, Household Man, Frasier and The Tortellis. Wendt moreover made cameos as himself on Seinfeld, Bob, and The Larry Sanders Present.
Wendt is survived by his spouse Bernadette, kids Hilary, Joe and Daniel, and stepchildren Joshua and Andrew.
