It was almost game over for Jason Sudeikis on Laurel Canyon.
Years before his uncle George Wendt’s death at age 76 on Tuesday, the actor, 49, recalled a childhood memory that involved a fast, new BMW — and the narrow roads of Los Angeles.
“We all went out to California to visit and George had just gotten a new car …,” Sudeikis told The A.V. Club on the red carpet of the “Second City’s Roast Of George Wendt” in 2017.
“It was a badass BMW with, like, manual drive, which I’d never seen before, you know, I was pretty young.”
The Kansas City, Missouri native recounted, “He took me and my dad for a ride,” before Wendt burst out laughing.
“My dad sat shotgun. I was in the back all by myself. This is not when you needed, you know, mandatory seatbelts,” Sudeikis continued. “He drove us through Laurel Canyon.”
While the “Cheers” star had driven on the windy road “hundreds and thousands of times,” the “Horrible Bosses” actor and his dad, Dan Sudeikis, weren’t privy to the route.
In fact, the father-son duo were scared for their lives.
“He had my dad holding onto (the car) like nothing you’ve ever seen,” Sudeikis confessed with a chuckle. “And I’m just, like, sliding around the background just because the seats were brand new.”
“I hold that memory very fondly,” the “We’re the Millers” actor sweetly stated.
A few years prior, in 2011, Sudeikis got candid about his relationship with Wendt while speaking with Playboy.
“He’s always been very encouraging, but there was no ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ kind of relationship between him and I,” he explained. “He didn’t take me to the park to explain comic timing. There was nothing like that. He was just a good example that being an actor was a viable option.”
Sudeikis and Wendt — who is the brother of Sudeikis’ mom, Kathy — have always had a close bond, with the comedian gushing over the “Ted Lasso” actor’s success in the industry in 2024.
“It was Letterman or Conan. He said, ‘Did your uncle George have any advice for you?’” Wendt shared on the “Still Here Hollywood” podcast. “And Jason goes — he’s so sharp — he goes, ‘Yeah he told me just get on the best show on television and one of the greatest shows of all time and just pretty much take it from there.’ And he goes, ‘So I did.’”
“He got ‘SNL,’” he added.
“He’s such a great kid,” Wendt continued. “Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he’s solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mesh, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in the show. Right?”
Wendt’s family rep confirmed his death to The Post on Tuesday, sharing that he “died peacefully in his sleep while at home” that morning.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” their statement continued. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
At this time, no official cause of death has been revealed.
Wendt starred on the iconic sitcom “Cheers” for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993 and went on to earn six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm Peterson.
After news of his death broke, some of his fellow costars shared their condolences.
“I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,” a rep for Ted Danson, who played Sam Malone, told The Post. “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.”
Rhea Perlman, who starred as cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli on the series, also took a moment to remember her late cast member.
“George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him,” Perlman told The Post. “As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it and he loved pretending it didn’t hurt. What a guy! I’ll miss him more than words can say.”
