Ted Danson ‘devastated’ after Cheers co-star George Wendt dies aged 76

Cheers actor George Wendt has died at the age of 76 (Picture: Getty)

Ted Danson has paid tribute to his Cheers co-star George Wendt, who has died at the age of 76.

The actor, most known for his role as Norm Peterson in the 1980s sitcom, died at his home early this morning.

His family confirmed the news to TMZ, sharing that he died peacefully in his sleep – months after he was seen during a rare public appearance.

‘George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,’ a rep said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter.

‘He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.’

Wendt’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

The beloved actor died earlier today in his sleep (Picture: Rex)

In a statement to People, Danson said he was ‘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.’

John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on Cheers, also told the publication that he was ‘heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend George Wendt’.

George shared the screen with Shelley Long, Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger and Rhea Perlman (Picture: NBC)

‘For eleven 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 added: ‘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.’

Meanwhile Melissa Joan Hart, who Wendt worked with on Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 2001 and 2002, said that ‘heaven just got a little funnier’ in a tribute on Instagram.

The Chicago-born star explored his passion for acting in the 1970s, as part of improv comedy troupe Second City.

He landed stints in Hart to Hart, Soap, M*A*S*H in the early 80s, before appearing as Norm in long-running comedy Cheers, which became his most recognisable role.

The series ran for 11 years between 1982 and 1993, with Wendt appearing as the beloved barfly in all 275 episodes alongside Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kirstie Alley and Woody Harrelson.

He became a firm favorite with fans, and received six Emmy nominations over the years.

In a chat with the Washington Post about the Boston-based sitcom, he joked that the hardest part about the character was drinking the ‘beer’ concoction that Norm was known for.

‘There I was slamming those down for a whole day,’ he said in 1985. ‘It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure.

‘Then I got the knack. I didn’t have to put all those brews away. It only mattered when the camera was pointing my way. It took a couple of years, but now I watch the camera. That’s how I make my money. That’s acting.’

After Cheers went off the air, Wendt reprised his role in an episode of Kelsey Grammer’s spin-off series, Frasier, in 2002.

George became a firm fan favorite as Norm in the long-running sitcom (Picture: NBC)

He also reunited with his former co-stars, including Grammer, Danson, Perlman and Pearlman John Ratzenberger at the beginning of last year for an appearance at the Emmys.

Aside from Cheers, he led the way in his own titular sitcom, the George Wendt Show, in 1995, before appearing in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, Fancy Nancy, the Goldbergs, and Hot in Cleveland.

Over on the big screen, he notched up credits in Spice World, My Dinner with Jimi, Wild About Harry, King of the Ants and Clean Break.

Away from the spotlight, Wendt was married to Bernadette Birkett and welcomed three children – Hilary, Joe and Daniel – and was also the uncle of Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis.

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