George Wendt celebrated “Cheers” in his final public appearance before his death.
The actor appeared on his former co-stars Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson’s podcast, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” in Aug. 2024, nine months before he died at age 76.
During the episode, Wendt recalled how he landed the role of Norm Peterson on the beloved sitcom.
“My agent called and said, ‘You know, honey, they want you to do this ‘Cheers,’” said Wendt. “Now you’re not available,’ because I had this other show [‘Making the Grade’] at Paramount for CBS. Then they go, ‘But they want you to come in anyway, and it’s really small, though.’ I go, ‘Oh, okay.’”
Wendt explained that he initially auditioned to just say one word in the pilot episode. But the casting team wanted more from him and he ultimately secured the role of Norm after another audition.
“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 shared.
“Cheers” aired on NBC from 1982 to 1993.
The cast also included Danson, 77, as Sam Malone, Harrelson, 63, as Woody Boyd, Shelley Long as Diane Chambers, Nicholas Colasanto as Coach Ernie Pantusso, Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli, and more.
Wendt became a fan favorite, scoring six Emmy nominations for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Norm.
Two months before his podcast appearance, Wendt participated in a comedy sketch at the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City, Missouri alongside his real-life nephew, “Ted Lasso” actor Jason Sudeikis.
Wendt also attended the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards in January 2024 for an iconic “Cheers” reunion that featured Danson, Perlman, Kelsey Grammer and John Ratzenberger.
At a pre-Emmy party, Wendt was seen with a cane and getting help walking from Sudeikis, 49.
The Post confirmed that Wendt died “peacefully in his sleep” on 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 family’s rep told The Post in a statement. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
Danson said in a statement to The Post that he was “devastated” over Wendt’s death.
“It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie,” the “Good Place” actor said.
Perlman, for her part, told The Post: “George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him.”
