Actor George Wendt, famously recognized for his role as Norm Peterson, the regular bar patron from the popular TV show Cheers, passed away at the age of 76.
George’s demise was announced by his representative, who issued the following message: “George was an affectionate family person, a cherished friend and trusted advisor to everyone fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him. His absence will be felt eternally. The family prefers seclusion during this mourning period.
As a Chicago-bred movie critic, I’ve had the privilege to witness the rise of some truly remarkable talents, and one such name that stands out is Bill Wendt. His comedic prowess was refined within the hallowed grounds of Second City during the 70s, where he honed his skills alongside a host of future stars.
After six years with this illustrious improv troupe, Wendt made the bold step into acting, initially securing minor roles in films and television productions. This transition marked the beginning of an exciting journey for this talented individual.
When Wendt secured the part of Norm on Cheers, which premiered in September 1982, he was able to draw upon the abilities he’d honed at Second City. As he would explain later, the secret lay in his character’s authenticity. “You need to make it seem genuine,” Wendt stated in a 1983 interview. “If viewers no longer find you believable, you’re just telling jokes.” This is how I portray Norm, he added. I don’t try to exaggerate or joke it up.
Initially, Cheers didn’t immediately resonate with audiences, but it eventually transformed into a ratings powerhouse. Consistently, the series was among the most-watched comedies on television, collecting accolades as it went. Despite being nominated for an Emmy six times consecutively for his portrayal of Norm, Wendt never won an award.
Despite being part of a star-studded cast including Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammar, and Woody Harrelson, Wendt’s performance as Norm stood out. His portrayal of Norm – rough and tough at times, yet tender and helpful on other occasions – resonated with countless television viewers. Every episode would see the character greeted with enthusiastic cries of “Norm!” whenever he made an appearance in the bar that the show was named after. This excitement mirrored the feelings of viewers at home, eager to welcome one of their beloved characters onto the screen.
What Did George Wendt Do After ‘Cheers’?
Over time, Wendt has consistently been modest about his role on Cheers. In an interview with Chicago Magazine in 2021, he said, “Norm is essentially me with superior writing.” He acknowledged that there were likely many other actors who could have brought the brilliant lines he received every Wednesday morning to life.
Following the conclusion of “Cheers” in 1993, Wendt managed to secure numerous roles. He appeared as a guest star on various shows such as “Columbo” and “Seinfeld”. Additionally, he voiced characters for episodes of “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy”, and even launched his own brief series titled “The George Wendt Show“.
The actor further secured his recognition within the annals of Saturday Night Live by featuring in the popular recurring sketch, Bill Swerski’s Superfans. Known for the iconic “Da Bears” phrase and an unwavering devotion to coach Mike Ditka, the characters portrayed by Wendt, Mike Myers, Chris Farley, and Robert Smigel represented a lively quartet of Chicago sports enthusiasts who consistently had audiences in fits of laughter.
Watch George Wendt on Saturday Night Live
In Memoriam: 2025 Deaths
Wayne Osmond
In a heartfelt tribute, I find myself compelled to share my deep admiration for my dear brother, the remarkable Wayne Osmond. On January 1st, at the tender age of 73, he left us, yet his spirit and the joy he brought continue to linger. As a fellow member of the Osmonds family harmony, I can attest that he was an inexhaustible source of light, laughter, and love for everyone fortunate enough to cross his path, including myself.
Wayne’s unwavering optimism made him a beacon of hope, and his infectious charm endeared him to everyone. As I reflect upon our shared journey as siblings, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for having the privilege of calling him my brother. I believe that this sentiment resonates deeply within every one of us Osmond family members.
Rest in peace, dear Wayne. Your light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts and memories.
Brenton Wood
83-year-old Brenton Wood, renowned for his three Top 40 hits released in 1967 – “The Oogum Boogum Song,” “Gimme Little Sign” and “Baby You Got It” – passed away on January 3.
Or:
Brenton Wood, famous for his top hits “The Oogum Boogum Song,” “Gimme Little Sign” and “Baby You Got It,” all of which peaked in the Top 40 charts in 1967, died at the age of 83 on January 3.
Or:
On January 3, Brenton Wood, a singer known for his hits “The Oogum Boogum Song,” “Gimme Little Sign” and “Baby You Got It,” which topped the charts in 1967, passed away at the age of 83.
Peter Yarrow
In the early 1960s, Peter Yarrow, a member of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, sadly passed away at the age of 86 following a four-year struggle with cancer. Notably, this trio was among the first to achieve success with a Bob Dylan song; their rendition of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” released in 1963, peaked at No. 2 and earned them two Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Group Performance and Best Folk Recording.
Sam Moore
Legendary soul singer Sam Moore, who was one-half of the iconic duo Sam & Dave, passed away in January at the age of 89. The dynamic duo, formed back in 1961, produced a string of hits such as “Hold On! I’m Comin'” (1966), “You Got Me Hummin'” (1966), “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby” (1967), “Soul Man” (1967) and “I Thank You” (1968).
Bob Uecker
Legendary sports broadcaster Bob Uecker, who has been the radio voice of Milwaukee Brewers baseball since 1971, passed away at the age of 90. Throughout his career, Uecker showcased his versatile talent in films and television shows such as the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere” on ABC and the “Major League” movie series.
Bob Uecker, most recognized for his role as the radio commentator for Milwaukee Brewers baseball games since 1971, has sadly passed away at 90 years old. Over the course of his career, Uecker demonstrated his multi-talented abilities in numerous films and TV shows, including “Mr. Belvedere” on ABC and the “Major League” film franchise.
David Lynch
Renowned filmmaker David Lynch passed away on January 15 at the age of 78. Some of his notable works include masterpieces like “Blue Velvet”, “Twin Peaks”, and “Mulholland Drive” among others. It was known that Lynch, a lifelong smoker, had been diagnosed with emphysema in the year 2024.
P. Fluid
In his birthplace, New York City, Peter Forrest, also known as P. Fluid and the lead vocalist for the Black rock band 24/7 Spyz, tragically lost his life in January. He was 64 years old. Despite leaving and rejoining the band on several occasions, Forrest’s influence on their albums from the late ’80s and early ’90s significantly shaped their unique sound. After learning about Forrest’s demise, guitarist Jimi Hazel of 24/7 Spyz described him to Rolling Stone, saying, “He brought a carefree spirit, but in an enjoyable manner.
John Sykes
John Sykes, renowned guitarist for Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, passed away at the age of 65 after battling cancer. It was confirmed that he had been diagnosed with this illness. Throughout his career, Sykes released five solo albums, formed Blue Murder with bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice, and collaborated with numerous other bands. In his last days, he expressed heartfelt appreciation for the fans who stood by him over the years. “Although his departure leaves a deep void, we hope that the brightness of his memory will dispel the gloom of his absence,” the statement read.
Garth Hudson
Garth Hudson, who was the last surviving member of The Band, passed away on January 21 at the age of 87. Known for his exceptional talent and versatility as a musician, Hudson was not only a key player in The Band but also served as their archivist, preserving recordings with Bob Dylan that were later released as ‘The Basement Tapes.’ In his later years, he resided at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York, where The Band held a cherished place in the community’s affections.
Barry Goldberg
Barry Goldberg, a renowned blues musician who performed live with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band during their collaboration with Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, passed away in January at the age of 82. Known for his skills on the keyboard, Goldberg had been fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma for a decade. Throughout his career, he contributed to numerous albums by artists such as Leonard Cohen, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield, and many others.
Toby Myers
Toby Myers, who had been John Mellencamp’s bassist for many years, passed away on January 16 at the age of 75. He joined Mellencamp’s band in 1982, and played and recorded with them until 1999 when he chose to stop touring so he could be a stay-at-home father. Despite this, he continued making music, performing with bands such as No Net, Daisy Chain, and sometimes the Mellencamp tribute band Mellencougar.
Marianne Faithfull
English singer-actress Marianne Faithfull, known for her hit single “As Tears Go By” and being one of the most popular female artists during the British Invasion, passed away in late January. She was 78 years old. Mick Jagger expressed his sadness on social media, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Marianne Faithfull. She was an integral part of my life for so long. She was a fantastic friend, a gifted singer, and a talented actress. She will forever be remembered.
Gene Barge
Legendary saxophonist Gene Barge, better known as Daddy G, one of the original members of the Church Street Five, passed away on February 2nd at the venerable age of 98. He collaborated with musical greats such as Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Chuck Willis, and Jackie Wilson, among others.
In this version, I’ve aimed to maintain the original structure while making it more conversational and accessible.
Mike Ratledge
In February, Mike Ratledge, the keyboardist and co-founder of Soft Machine, passed away at the age of 81. On social media, his former bandmate John Etheridge described him as “the backbone of Soft Machine during its early years and a man with an exceptionally sharp mind.” Apart from Soft Machine, Ratledge worked alongside Mike Oldfield and Syd Barrett, and also created music for films and theaters.
Dave Jerden
Producer and sound engineer Dave Jerden, who collaborated with numerous rock bands throughout his 30-year career, passed away at the age of 75. Some of the artists he worked with include Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, and Frank Zappa.
David Edward Byrd
The renowned artist David Edward Bryd, known for his work with bands such as Kiss, Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead among others, passed away in February at the age of 83.
Jamie Muir
Jamie Muir, who was both a drummer and percussionist, and played on King Crimson’s “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic,” passed away in February at the age of 82. After leaving the band, he chose to become a Buddhist monk. Former King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford commented after his death, “He had a powerful impact on me, both professionally and personally, during our brief time together many years ago – an influence which I still recall half a century later.”
Rick Buckler
Rick Buckler, the drummer for the band The Jam, passed away at the age of 69 in February. “I’m reminiscing about us all practicing in my bedroom on Stanley Road, Woking,” Paul Weller, the lead singer of The Jam, posted on social media after the news. “To all the pubs and clubs we played at as youngsters, to eventually recording an album. What a ride it was! We surpassed our dreams and what we created continues to endure.
Karl Cochran
Karl Cochran, a renowned guitarist and songwriter who collaborated with Kiss and previously worked with Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow and Deep Purple, tragically passed away in February due to a car accident. On social media, Paul Stanley expressed his fondness for him, stating, “He was adored by fans across the globe.
Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler, previously lead singer of the Impressions and subsequently a successful solo artist, passed away on February 20 at the age of 85. Not only was he active in music, but he also held the position as Commissioner for Cook County, Illinois from 1985 to 2018.
Roberta Flack
Legendary singer-pianist Roberta Flack, who garnered numerous No.1 hits in the ’70s and won a Grammy, passed away at 88 years old in February. She was widely recognized for her hit songs such as “Killing Me Softly,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and “Where Is the Love.
Chris Jasper
Chris Jasper, a renowned singer, composer, and keyboardist for the Isley Brothers, passed away on February 23 at the age of 73. He had been battling cancer since its diagnosis in December of the previous year. After the disbandment of the Isley Brothers in 1984, Chris Jasper, along with two of his bandmates, Marvin and Ernie Isley, continued their collaboration under the name Isley-Jasper-Isley.
Robert John
Robert John, renowned for his top-charting 1979 song “Sad Eyes,” passed away in February. At the time of his death, he was 79 years old. This song also garnered John a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance.
David Johansen
David Johansen, famously recognized as the frontman for groundbreaking punk band New York Dolls, passed away in February at the age of 75. In his final days, Johansen shared that he was battling Stage 4 cancer, a condition he had been diagnosed with five years prior. Under Johansen’s leadership, the New York Dolls’ first two albums gained cult status and served as early foundations for punk rock music.
Joey Molland
Joey Molland, the final original member of Badfinger, passed away at the age of 77 following a series of health complications. Throughout his career with the band, he played guitar on seven albums and also contributed to notable projects such as George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and “The Concert for Bangladesh”, as well as John Lennon’s “Imagine”.
Peter Engel
Peter Engel, famously recognized as the TV producer behind the teen sitcom “Saved by the Bell”, has passed away at the age of 88. His other notable works include “California Dreams”, “Hang Time”, and “City Guys”.
Peter Engel, widely known for his role as the TV producer of the popular teen sitcom “Saved by the Bell”, has sadly passed away at 88 years old. He also worked on shows like “California Dreams”, “Hang Time”, and “City Guys”.
Brian James
Brian James, a founding guitarist and primary songwriter for the punk rock group The Damned, passed away at the age of 70 in March’s early days. Later in his career, he worked with notable figures such as Iggy Pop, Stewart Copeland from The Police, among others.
Herb Greene
Herb Greene, the photographer who captured the cover image for Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ album in his own home, passed away at the age of 82 in March. Notably, he also shot photographs of artists such as the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, and numerous others. A substantial portion of his work was featured in magazines like Rolling Stone and other music periodicals.
Jesse Colin Young
Jesse Colin Young, frontman of the ’60s band the Youngbloods, passed away in March at the age of 83. Known for his lead vocals on the popular counterculture anthem “Get Together”, he also penned “Darkness, Darkness”, a song that earned Robert Plant a Grammy nomination.
Marty Callner
I had the honor of being a fan and admirer of Marty Callner, a renowned director known for his work on iconic music videos such as Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” Aerosmith’s “(Dude) Looks Like a Lady,” and many more. Sadly, he passed away at 78 years old in March. On social media, David Coverdale shared his heartfelt feelings, calling him an incredible person and a brilliant talent.
Larry Tamblyn
Larry Tamblyn, who initially made a name for himself as a solo artist during the ’50s before forming the band The Standells in 1962, passed away in March at the age of 82. Notably recognized for their 1966 hit single “Dirty Water,” which peaked at number 11 on the charts.
Terry Manning
Terry Manning, a renowned producer and sound engineer who collaborated with artists such as Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Joe Walsh, and numerous others, passed away in March at the age of 77. In a 2008 interview, he shared his sentiments by saying, “The people and experiences I’ve encountered have been nothing short of incredible. To have been at Stax, Ardent, Abbey Road, Compass Point – it’s hard to believe sometimes. I feel incredibly fortunate, truly blessed, to have had the opportunity to do all that.
Val Kilmer
Actor Val Kilmer, known for his roles in films such as Top Gun, The Doors, and Tombstone, passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. Earlier in 2014, he bravely fought off throat cancer.
Michael Hurley
Michael Hurley, a prolific singer-songwriter known for his frequent performances in Greenwich Village during the ’60s and ’70s, passed away on April 1 at the age of 83. Known for his “outsider folk” style, he continued producing albums until 2021 and performing live as well.
Dave Allen
Dave Allen, a skilled bassist who was part of the English bands Gang of Four and Shriekback, passed away in April at the age of 69. He contributed to both of Gang of Four’s debut albums – “Entertainment!” from 1979 and “Solid Gold” in 1981 – before departing to establish Shriekback and produce several albums with them.
Clem Burke
Clem Burke, renowned as Blondie’s drummer, passed away in April after a secret fight against cancer. Beyond his work with the iconic New Wave group, he also teamed up musically with artists like Bob Dylan, the Ramones, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, and numerous others. At the time of his death, he was 70 years old.
Jed the Fish
Legendary radio personality Edwin Gould III, affectionately known as “Jed the Fish” on air, passed away in April due to lung cancer. At the time of his death, he was 69 years old. Throughout his tenure at KROQ, Gould played a significant role in bringing up-and-coming artists such as Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Duran Duran, and The Pretenders into the spotlight.
Roger McLachlan
Roger McLachlan, one of the founders of the Little River Band and their initial bassist, sadly passed away in April at the age of 71. He had been fighting against pancreatic cancer. Beyond his role in the Little River Band, he was also a member of the band Late for Breakfast, performed with Melbourne’s Stars, fusion group Pyramid, and other ensembles.
Roy Thomas Baker
Roy Thomas Baker, known for producing Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’, the Cars’ 1978 debut album, and Journey’s first two records, among numerous others, passed away on April 12. He was 78 years old. Additionally, he worked as an engineer on albums by artists such as Dr. John, Yes, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Dusty Springfield, and many more.
Roy Thomas Baker, who produced Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’, the Cars’ 1978 self-titled debut album, and Journey’s first two records, as well as numerous others, passed away on April 12. He was 78 years old. In addition to producing these iconic albums, he also served as an engineer for artists like Dr. John, Yes, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Dusty Springfield, and many more.
David Thomas
David Thomas, the singer and co-founder of Pere Ubu, passed away in April at the age of 71. The band, which was established in Cleveland back in 1975, had Thomas as its only consistent member throughout their journey. Their latest album came out in 2023, however, it was mentioned upon Thomas’ demise that he had been working on a new album with the group at the time of his passing.
Mike Peters
Mike Peters, the frontman of The Alarm, passed away towards the end of April at the age of 66. For three decades, he bravely fought against cancer. Beyond his role as a band member, he was also a successful solo artist and co-founder of a charity dedicated to cancer research.
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2025-05-21 01:02