George Wendt, forever known as Norm Peterson on Cheers, died peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2025, in Los Angeles at age 76 weau.com+5legacy.com+5washingtonpost.com+5. His immediate cause of death was cardiac arrest, with underlying issues including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and kidney failure tmz.com+2weau.com+2wpxi.com+2.
Wendt’s Norm wasn’t just a role—he was a cultural touchstone. From his iconic entrances (“Norm!”) to his timeless quips, he became the face of comfort television. He appeared in every episode across 11 seasons and earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for the role washingtonpost.comdecider.comlegacy.com. Colleagues Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman paid tribute, emphasizing his warmth, humor, and presence beyond the barstool .
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