George Wendt, beloved bar regular Norm on NBC's 'Cheers,' dies at 76

Beloved actor George Wendt, best known for his role as beer-quaffing bar regular Norm Peterson on the NBC hit comedy "Cheers," has died. He was 76.

A representative for Wendt, publicist Melissa Nathan, confirmed the actor's death to USA TODAY, adding that he died peacefully in his sleep while at home "early Tuesday morning."

"George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him," the statement continued. "He will be missed forever. "

Wendt's family also requested privacy during this time.

Wendt earned six consecutive best supporting actor Emmy nominations playing his one-line loving everyman character – who was greeted with a boisterous call of "Norrrmmmm!" by fellow bar patrons with every entrance to the fictional Boston bar. The actor's death comes on the 32nd anniversary of the final "Cheers" episode that aired on May 20, 1993, after 11 seasons.

Born George Robert Wendt Jr. on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, he spent six years in Chicago’s renowned Second City improv troupe before auditioning for "Cheers."

“My agent said, ‘It’s a small role, honey. It’s one line. Actually, it’s one word.’ The word was ‘beer.’" Wendt said in a GQ oral history of "Cheers" published in 2012. "I was having a hard time believing I was right for the role of ‘the guy who looked like he wanted a beer.’ So I went in, and they said, ‘It’s too small a role. Why don’t you read this other one?’ And it was a guy who never left the bar."

Wendt was a frequent "Saturday Night Live" guest, where he famously portrayed one of the superfan Chicago sports enthusiasts in the recurring "Bill Swerski’s Superfans" sketch. Decked out in walrus mustaches, sunglasses, and Bears gear, Wendt and his fellow superfans – including Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Joe Mantegna and Robert Smigel – enthusiastically discussed "Da Bears" and legendary head coach Mike Dikta (known only as "Ditka").

After appearing in all 273 episodes of “Cheers,” Wendt starred as a radio-host car mechanic in his own sitcom, “The George Wendt Show" on CBS in 1995. The show was canceled after six episodes.

Wendt appeared in movies like the comedy "Fletch" (1985), "The Little Rascals" (1994) and as a film producer in "Spice World" (1997) as well as making guest appearances on TV's "Seinfeld," "Frasier," and "The Simpsons." On the stage, Wendt notably played Edna Turnblad in the 2007 Broadway production of "Hairspray."