‘Cheers’ Cast Pays Tribute to George Wendt After He Died on Anniversary of Show Finale

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The cast of Cheers is honoring their fellow actor George Wendt following his passing on the anniversary of the show's finale.

On Tuesday, May 20, Wendt’s family shared with Us Weekly that the actor passed away peacefully at home during his sleep. He was 76 years old. A representative for the family stated, “George was a caring family man and a beloved friend and confidant to everyone fortunate enough to know him. He will be missed forever.”

Wendt's passing coincidentally aligns with the 32nd anniversary of the end of Cheers' series on NBC. Throughout the 11 seasons of the show, Wendt garnered six Emmy nominations and became cherished by fans for his portrayal of Norm, the lovable regular who visited the Boston bar each day.

He acted alongside Ted Danson, John Ratzenberger, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, the late Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long, and Bebe Neuwirth, making a memorable impact on both his fellow cast members and the audience.

Continue reading to discover which Cheers stars have paid homage to Wendt:

Ted Danson

Danson, who embodied Sam Malone, expressed to Us on Tuesday that he is “devastated to learn that Georgie is no longer with us.” The actor mentioned, “I am sending all my love to [his wife] Bernadette and the children.”

He shared, “It’s going to take me a long time to adjust to this. I love you, Georgie.”

John Ratzenberger

Ratzenberger, known for his role as Cliff Clavin, conveyed to the outlet that he was “heartbroken to learn about my friend George Wendt’s passing.”

He reminisced about working alongside Wendt for 11 years, enjoying “many laughs and witnessing one of television’s most cherished friendships.” Ratzenberger praised, “George infused Norm with a subtle brilliance — the kind that made it appear effortless. That was his gift.”

Ratzenberger added: “He was a genuine craftsman — humble, humorous, and filled with love. What you saw on screen was exactly who he was off screen with perfect comedic timing and profound loyalty to those he cherished. I will miss our conversations and the quiet moments of camaraderie that meant the most.”

He closed by sending his love to Wendt’s family, stating that his “thoughts are with his wife Bernadette, their children, and all who loved him.”

Eric Allan Kramer

After making a guest appearance on a 1989 episode of Cheers, Kramer fondly remembers Wendt’s kindness on set. “It was hard to hear of his passing … I first met George Wendt on the set of Cheers … One of the warmest and funniest individuals I’ve ever encountered,” Kramer wrote on Instagram. “He welcomed me as the star he was and was incredibly generous as an actor in rehearsal (and even when the cameras were rolling).”

He remembered Wendt as “the first person to ensure I had a beer in my hand when the night came to a close.” Kramer added, “We had a shared background in our work with the Calgary Stampeders and recounted numerous tales throughout the week… Cheers to that… I am truly grateful for the laughter and the lessons… Rest in peace.”

Rhea Perlman

Perlman expressed her admiration for her friend in a statement released to Us on Tuesday.

“George Wendt was the kindest, sweetest individual I’ve ever known. It was simply impossible not to like him. As Carla, I frequently found myself beside him since Norm always occupied the same spot at the end of the bar, which made it easy for me to grab him and unleash some playful aggression at least once a week. I relished those moments, and he enjoyed pretending it wasn’t painful. What a remarkable person! I will miss him more than I can articulate,” the actress remarked.