Cheers actor George Wendt’s cause of death revealed after shock passing aged 76
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Cheers icon George Wendt’s cause of death has been revealed two weeks after his shock passing aged 76.
The legendary actor, who died in his sleep on May 20, played the beloved Norm Peterson on the hit NBC show from 1982-1993 and earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for the role.
Wendt died from cardiac arrest per a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health death certificate.
Congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are listed as underlying causes on the certificate obtained by TMZ.
Other significant contributing conditions listed include end-stage renal disease, kidney failure, and hyperlipidemia, which relates to high levels of fat in the blood.
Per the certificate, Wendt was pronounced dead at 10am on May 20 and cremated on May 28.
Cheers icon George Wendt’s cause of death has been revealed two weeks after his shock passing aged 76 – he is pictured as Norm Peterson on the show
The legendary actor, played the beloved barfly on the hit NBC show from 1982-1993 and earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for the role – pictured top right with the cast – Rhea Perlman, Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, Roger Rees and Bebe Neuwirth in the 1980s
Wendt’s family said in a statement: ‘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. The family has requested privacy during this time.’
His shock passing came just six months after the frail star was seen being wheeled out of an California dialysis clinic and 32 years to the day that the Cheers finale aired.
In the wake of his shock death, his Cheers co-star Ted Danson, 77, who played bartender Sam Malone – paid emotional tribute to his ‘Georgie.’
In a statement to People, Danson said he’s ‘devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us.
‘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.’
Wendt’s iconic sitcom Cheers ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993, though the show was almost canceled after its first season due to low ratings.
However, it spent eight of its remaining 10 seasons in the top 10, becoming the most-watched show in Season 9.
Wendt died from cardiac arrest on May 20 – he looked frail as he was snapped after a visit to a LA health clinic in November 2024
Norm – whose occupations included accountant, painter and decorator and coast guard – quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his iconic entrance into the bar
Wendt had not been seen in public much in recent years – he reunited with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in January 2024
It earned 28 Emmy Awards from 117 nominations, earning Outstanding Comedy Series nominations all 11 seasons, winning four.
Wendt – who is also the uncle of Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis – impressively appeared in every episode until it went off air in May 1993.
His lovable, happy-go-lucky barfly Norm – whose occupations included accountant, painter and decorator and coast guard – quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his iconic entrance into the bar.
Norm would arrive and yell ‘Afternoon/evening everybody!’ with the bar crowd shouting his name back.
He told Chicago Magazine in 2021: ‘Norm is just me with better writing. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of actors who could have delivered on the absolute gems that I was handed on a silver platter every Wednesday morning.’
Wendy forged close friendships with his co-stars Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer and Woody Harrelson.
In a statement , an emotional Danson says he’s ‘devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us’ – the cast are pictured in 1998
Wendt had been married to Birkett – who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers – since 1978 and they have one daughter and two sons – pictured January 2024
Wendt’s nephew and godson is Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis – pictured 2017
Wendt’s former Sabrina the Teenage Witch co-star Melissa Joan Hart said ‘heaven just got a little funnier’ with his arrival.
‘He was warm, professional and kind and our cast and crew were gifted with his presence every time. Rest in peace! #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople.’
Hailing from Chicago, prior to acting Wendt was expelled from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana over poor grades before moving into showbusiness, where his first job was sweeping a theatre floor.
Guest roles in Taxi and M*A*S*H were followed by his big break on Cheers, and two years after it finished he launched a self-titled sitcom on CBS, but it was canceled after eight episodes.
Other than his success in the hit sitcom, the popular entertainer has appeared in shows such as Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Columbo and Wings.
He also had a recurring sketch on SNL’s Bill Swerski’s Superfans, which was dedicated to sports fans from Chicago.
Other than his success in the hit sitcom, the popular entertainer has appeared in shows such as Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Columbo and Wings.
Wendt had been married to Bernadette Birkett – who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers – since 1978 and they have one daughter and two sons.
Wendt had kept a low profile in recent years, making only a handful of small appearances on screen, including his stint as a contestant in The Masked Singer in 2023.
More recently, he made a surprise appearance on stage when he reunited with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in January 2024.
Wendt was joined by former co-stars Danson, Grammer, Perlman and Ratzenberger around a recreated set of the show’s iconic bar.
Cast members Long and Harrelson did not attend the reunion.
Sudeikis explained to Playboy in 2011 how his mother’s brother Wendt inspired him to embark upon his own career path.
He admitted: ‘He’s always been very encouraging, but there was no Tuesdays With Morrie kind of relationship between him and I.
‘He didn’t take me to the park to explain comic timing. There was nothing like that. He was just a good example that being an actor was a viable option.’
The actor added: ‘Here’s a guy from the Midwest, in my family, who took the road less travelled and it worked out for him. The advice he gave me, and I say this jokingly, is “Get on one of the best sitcoms of all time and then ride it out.”‘
The star is pictured in M*A*S*H as Private Laroche in 1982
Wendt joined Sudeikis, Travis Kelce. Robert Smigel and Patrick Mahomes, onstage at 2024 Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in June 2024
Wendt encouraged his nephew to audition for Saturday Night Live after attending one of his improv performances.
In June 2024 Wendt lauded his nephew – the son of his sister Kathy on the podcast Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko
He said: ‘He’s such a great kid. Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he’s solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mesh, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in the show. Right?’
