Ted Danson and ‘Cheers’ Stars Pay Tribute to George Wendt

Cheers stars are hollering out an affectionate “Norm!” in tribute to George Wendt, the 76-year-old actor who ed away this week. Wendt played lovable barfly Norm Peterson for 11 seasons on the long-running sitcom. 

“I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,” said Ted Danson, who played Cheers’ Sam Malone, in a statement reported by Entertainment Weekly. “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.”

John Ratzenberger, as know-it-all mailman Cliff Clavin, had a permanent barstool next to Wendt at the Cheers rail. “I’m heartbroken to hear about the ing of my friend George Wendt,” he shared in a statement. “For 11 years on Cheers, we shared a stage, a lot of laughs, and a front-row seat to one of television’s most beloved friendships. George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance — the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift.”

Ratzenberger went on to praise Wendt as “a true craftsman — humble, hilarious and full of heart.” The wisecracking character who viewers loved on TV “was exactly who he was off-screen, with impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty to those he loved,” Ratzenberger continued. “I’ll miss our conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant the most.”

Rhea Perlman, who often needled Wendt’s Norm as sassy waitress Carla Tortelli, also released a statement expressing her condolences. “It was impossible not to like him,” she said. “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.”

Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane on Cheers before leaving for the hit spin-off on which Wendt guest-starred, told Hollywood Reporter in a statement, “I believe mourning is a private matter. But I liked George a lot. He was beloved by millions.”

NBC, the network that featured Cheers as one of its flagship shows, shared a Wendt tribute on Twitter: “Watching him walk through that door and head to his barstool, America couldn’t wait to say hi to Norm every Thursday night. George Wendt was an essential part of the genius of Cheers, and he will be missed by the millions who loved him. Norm was all of us. A regular guy who finished his hardworking day wanting to be surrounded by friends and a frosty beverage. We’re proud to raise a glass and toast a true comedy legend.”