George Wendt is being honored in a variety of tributes and statements following his death this Tuesday. Though Wendt appeared in many movies and TV shows throughout his career, including Gung Ho, Spice World, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, he was by far most famous for playing everyman barfly Norm Peterson in the cast of Cheers, the hit NBC sitcom. Wendt died on May 20, 2025, at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 76.
There has been an outpouring of tribute statements to George Wendt, particularly from his Cheers co-stars. Social media has also been flooded with posts honoring the late actor, particularly from those who had worked with Wendt in the past, and even the bar that inspired Cheers itself. See select tribute posts below:
NBC Entertainment said that Wendt "will be missed by the millions who loved him."
Several of Wendt's Cheers co-stars delivered statements to NBC and a variety of other publications honoring the late actor. Sam Malone actor Ted Danson gave a heartfelt statement (via Variety),
“I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us. I am sending all my love to [Wendt's wife] Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”
Rhea Perlman, who played waitress Carla Tortelli in Cheers, had particularly emotional words to say about Wendt:
"George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him. As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it and he loved pretending it didn’t hurt. What a guy! I’ll miss him more than words can say.”
John Ratzenberger, who played Cheers' resident postal worker Cliff Clavin, praised Wendt's skill at his craft:
"I’m heartbroken to hear about the ing of my friend George Wendt. For 11 years on ‘Cheers,’ we shared a stage, a lot of laughs and a front-row seat to one of television’s most beloved friendships. George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance — the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift.
He was a true craftsman — humble, hilarious and full of heart. What you saw on screen was exactly who he was off screen with impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty to those he loved. I’ll miss our conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant the most. My thoughts are with his wife Bernadette, their children, and everyone who loved him."
Kelsey Grammer, who made psychiatrist and Cheers bar regular Frasier Crane a sitcom icon, gave a brief yet touching statement about Wendt:
"I believe mourning is a private matter. But I liked George a lot. He was beloved by millions."
Actor and comedian Jeff Ross was one of the first to pay tribute to Wendt on social media. He shared a group selfie that included Wendt and himself at a charity benefit. Ross said, "He wasn't feeling his best, but he still rose to the occasion and made thousands of people laugh a lot for a great cause."
Eric Allan Kramer, who guest-starred in an episode of Cheers, posted an image of Wendt as Norm Peterson. Kramer praised Wendt for making him feel welcome on set, saying the late actor was "the first one to make sure I had a beer in my hand at the end of the night..."
Later in his career, Wendt was a recurring guest star in sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Sabrina Spellman actress Melissa Joan Hart shared a picture of her and Wendt posing together on set. In her caption, she says, "Heaven just got a little funnier with #GeorgeWendt."
Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton, who co-starred with Wendt in the 1986 movie Gung Ho, also paid tribute. Sharing a clipping of Wendt's obituary, Keaton provided this caption: "just somebody you loved being around!
talented and funny and a good guy RIP George"
In a moving tribute, Cheers Boston, the bar that was the inspiration for Cheers posted an image of an empty beer mug in front of Norm's spot at the bar. "To George: thank you for the laughs, the memories, and the legacy you leave behind. You’ll always have a stool at our bar," they said.
George Wendt Left A Lasting Legacy With Cheers
His ing Inspires Even Greater Fondness For Norm Peterson
The fact that not only so many of his Cheers castmates, but even actors who worked with him in lesser-known projects, paid tribute to George Wendt shows the lasting impact he's had. The late star truly improved the lives of millions through the laughter he evoked throughout Cheers' 275 episodes — all of which he appeared in.
George Wendt's death on May 20, 2025, coincides with the 32-year anniversary of the Cheers finale on May 20, 1993.
Nostalgia for the sitcom was already at an all-time high thanks to the show's 30-year anniversary in 2023, and Wendt's ing will undoubtedly inspire a wave of Cheers rewatches, with many bittersweet chants of "NORM!"
The Late Cheers Star Won't Soon Be Forgotten
More Tributes From George Wendt's Co-Stars & Fellow Actors Are Expected
Even with the multitude of tributes and statements from those who were lucky enough to work with George Wendt, more are likely to come flooding in. 275 episodes is a lot of episodes, and as Eric Allan Kramer pointed out, Wendt left a warm, lasting impression on everyone he worked with, even if it was only for one storyline. Wendt's memory will live on through these social media posts and recollections, and will serve as a touching way to honor the late Cheers actor and his almost 50-year career.
Sources: Various (see above), Variety
