We’ve lost another iconic face of pop culture. George Wendt, best known as the affable barfly Norm Peterson on the legendary sitcom Cheers, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. The actor died peacefully in his sleep at home on the morning of May 20, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. His representative shared, “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever.”
While Wendt became a household name thanks to his nine-season run on Cheers, earning six Primetime Emmy nominations for his role, fans of the King of Pop will instantly remember him for a very different performance, playing the father of Macaulay Culkin in Michael Jackson’s 1991 ground-breaking short film Black or White. That memorable opening scene, where Culkin blasts rock music only to be scolded by his dad (played by Wendt), set the tone for one of MJ’s most powerful and unifying anthems. It’s a small but unforgettable role in one of music video history’s most iconic moments.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, George Wendt came from a large family with eight siblings. Beyond his extensive acting career, he was also the uncle of actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis. Married to Bernadette Birkett since 1978, the couple raised three children together.
Outside of Cheers and Black or White, Wendt’s résumé reads like a tour through TV and movie nostalgia. He played Bob Swerski on Saturday Night Live, starred in films like The Little Rascals, Fletch, Spice World, Alice in Wonderland, and even had his own sitcom, The George Wendt Show. For decades, he was a comforting presence across our screens, big and small.
As fans reflect on his legacy, it’s clear George Wendt brought heart, humor, and unforgettable charm to every role he touched, whether it was serving laughs at a Boston bar or grounding the King of Pop’s wild visuals with a dose of suburban dad realness. Rest in peace, George. You’ll always have a place in our hearts and in pop culture history.
