George Wendt, the star who played Norm in the sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 76.
The man whose name was once greeted with a chorus of "Norm!" by millions of viewers passed away peacefully in his sleep at home, his family confirmed.
A representative for the family told the BBC: “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever.”
Wendt starred in all 275 episodes of Cheers, which aired from 1982 to 1993, earning six consecutive Emmy nominations for his role as the beer-loving regular at Boston's most famous fictional bar.
Tributes have flooded in from across the entertainment world, including from his longtime castmates.
Ted Danson, who played the charming bar owner Sam Malone, said to PEOPLE: “I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us.”
In a heartfelt message, he added: “I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”
Kelsey Grammer, who launched his iconic Frasier Crane role on Cheers before leading his own spinoff, issued a more reserved but meaningful message: “I believe mourning is a private matter. But I liked George a lot. He was beloved by millions.”
Rhea Perlman, who played Carla, remembered Wendt as “the sweetest, kindest man I ever met,” and admitted: “I’ll miss him more than words can say.”
John Ratzenberger, known for his role as Cliff Clavin, echoed the heartbreak: “I was heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend,” adding: “We shared a stage, a lot of laughs, and a front-row seat to one of television's most beloved friendships.”
Melissa Joan Hart, who worked with Wendt on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “He was warm, professional and kind and our cast and crew were gifted with his presence every time. Rest in peace! Heaven just got a little funnier.”
Wendt’s impact stretched beyond Cheers. He appeared in films like Dreamscape, Forever Young, and Gung Ho, and made a memorable appearance in Michael Jackson’s iconic 1991 'Black or White' music video, playing the father of Macaulay Culkin’s character.
A family man off-screen as well, Wendt had been married to actress Bernadette Birkett since 1978. The couple had three children. He was also the uncle of Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis.
Wendt's most iconic role, Norm, was the embodiment of comfort TV. With his deadpan humor, lovable demeanor, and that classic entrance where patrons shouted his name every time he walked into the bar, Norm became more than a character - he became a cultural staple.
Looking back on the show years later, Wendt admitted he still got recognized for the role that defined his career.
“I live just a few blocks from where Friends was shot and from where Seinfeld was shot and I'd see the helicopters going over the studio and I'd think, wow, I'm one of a few dozen people who have a unique perspective on what all these people are going through,” he reflected.
In one of the most touching tributes, Cheers Boston - the real-life bar that inspired the series - shared a photo of Norm’s barstool on Instagram with a powerful caption: “George wasn't just an actor - he was a symbol of comfort, laughter, and that familiar feeling of walking into a place where everybody knows your name.”
They added: “To George: thank you for the laughs, the memories, and the legacy you leave behind. You'll always have a stool at our bar.”