Ted Danson is mourning the death of his longtime friend and former “Cheers” co-star George Wendt.
For 11 seasons and more than 250 episodes, Wendt entertained fans of the NBC sitcom as the beer-loving Norm. While Norm sat at the same stool, Danson’s Sam Malone poured him a cold one from just behind the bar.
The actors, who starred on the show from 1982 to 1993, formed a great bond on and off screen. That’s why upon hearing news of Wendt’s death on May 20 at the age of 76, Danson expressed his devastation.
“I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us. I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children,” Danson, 77, wrote in a statement given to TODAY.com. “It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”
Wendt’s family confirmed to NBC News through his publicist that the actor died on Tuesday morning at his home.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” the statement said. “He will be missed forever.”
Wendt was married to Bernadette Birkett since 1978. They share three children together; Hilary, Joe and Daniel. Jason Sudeikis is also Wendt’s nephew.
Wendt and Danson’s last public appearance was at the Emmy Awards in 2024. The two, along with Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer and John Ratzenberger, appeared in a re-created Bull & Finch Pub to present the award for outstanding directing in a comedy series and writing for a comedy series.
During the bit, Ratzenberger called it a “long-overdue class reunion.”
Noticeably missing from that appearance were Shelley Long and Woody Harrelson. Kirstie Alley died in 2022 at the age of 71.
Danson, Wendt and Harrelson would get together a couple months later for the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)” podcast.
The trio reminisced on their days on the successful sitcom, as well as practical jokes they played on one another. Wendt also recalled being cast for “Cheers” and having it conflict with another show he also booked.
“My agent called and said, ‘You know, honey, they want you to do this ‘Cheers.’ Now you’re not available,’” Wendt recalled, noting that he was also cast for a CBS show called “Making the Grade.” “Then they go, ‘But they want you to come in anyway, and it’s really small, though. I go, ‘Oh, OK.’”
He originally only had one line, or word, “Beer,” in a scene with Long’s Diane Chambers. He then said he auditioned for another character, which would go on to become the beloved Norm.
“I read it and then they decided they were going to try to make it work out where I could do both shows, and then the other show got canceled,” Wendt said — and the rest is history.
