George Wendt dies at 76: A look at Cheers star's net worth
George Wendt, who played Norm on Cheers, has passed away at 76.
George Wendt, the beloved actor who made beer-loving Norm Peterson a household name on the iconic sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
The affable, beer-loving Norm was a regular at the Boston bar where everybody knew your name. From 1982 to 1993, he appeared in every single one of the show’s 275 episodes, earning six straight Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
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What is George Wendt's net worth?
At the height of Cheers, he reportedly earned $200,000 per episode, which added up to about $5 million per season. Adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly $10 million per year in today’s dollars. By the end of his life, his estimated net worth stood at $25 million.
Wendt's film credits include memorable roles in Fletch, Gung Ho, Dreamscape, Forever Young, Hostage for a Day, Man of the House, Lakeboat, and the cult horror film House.
Wendt’s everyman charm made him a natural fit for TV and film
Norm got his comedic start in his hometown of Chicago. Raised on the city’s South Side, he sharpened his skills in the 1970s at Second City, the legendary improv troupe that also launched the careers of many comedy greats.
He turned up on Saturday Night Live as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago “superfans” obsessed with ‘Da Bears’ and ‘Coach Ditka’. His film credits include Dreamscape, House, Fletch, Gung Ho, Plain Clothes, and Forever Young. He even made a memorable cameo as the cranky dad in Michael Jackson’s 1991 ‘Black or White’ video.
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For 11 seasons, he played Norm, the bar’s lovable accountant with a dry wit and a bottomless beer mug. He appeared in all 275 episodes and earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his role.
Drinking that on-screen “beer” wasn’t glamorous, though. “It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure,” he once said. “Then I got the knack... That’s how I make my money. That’s acting.”
