George Wendt - Film & Theater Personalities, Timeline and Childhood
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George Wendt's Personal Details
George Robert Wendt is an American actor who rose to fame as ‘Norm Peterson’ in the TV show ‘Cheers.’ This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 17, 1948 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Film & Theater Personalities, Actors |
| City/State | Illinois |
| Spouses | Bernadette Birkett (m. 1978) |
| Siblings | Karen Wendt, Kathryn Sudeikis, Loretta Jolivette, Marti Doherty, Mary Ann Wendt, Nancy Wendt Healy, Paul Wendt, Tom Wendt |
| Known as | George Robert Wendt III |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Beverly, Chicago, Illinois |
| Height | 173cm |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | George Robert Wendt |
| Mother | Loretta Mary (née Howard) |
| Sun Sign | Libra |
| Born in | Beverly, Chicago, Illinois |
| Famous as | Actor |
// Famous Actors
George Wendt's photo
Who is George Wendt?
George Robert Wendt is an American actor who rose to fame as ‘Norm Peterson’ in the American TV show ‘Cheers.’ His character in the show became so famous that he appeared in many crossover episodes as ‘Norm.’ He was a regular in the show and remained so till the end. George started his career as a theater artist in the 70s and eventually found his way into movies. He made his film debut in ‘My Bodyguard.’ A year later, he made his first known TV appearance in ‘Taxi.’ His other TV appearances were in ‘Soap’ and ‘M A S H’ before he landed his breakthrough role in ‘Cheers.’ George has also made many appearances in ‘Saturday Night Live,’ the first being in the season eleven of the show. He made his presence felt on the TV screen through shows, such as ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway,’ ‘Columbo,’ ‘Sienfeld,’ ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Family Guy,’ ‘Modern Men,’ ‘Hot in Cleveland,’ ‘Potlandia,’ and ‘Clipped.’ He is currently starring in the web series ‘Verdene and Gleneda.’
// Famous Film & Theater Personalities
Childhood & Early Life
Born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, George Robert Wendt III is the son of Loretta Mary and George Robert Wendt. His father was a navy officer and realtor.
He received his formal education from ‘Campion High School,’ Wisconsin. He enrolled at the ‘University of Notre Dame,’ but was soon expelled after he failed in all the subjects in the first semester.
Thereafter, he attended the ‘Rockhurst College’ in Kansas City, Missouri, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Early Career
He was working in his father’s real estate firm when he came across the idea of pursuing a career in acting. He started working with ‘The Second City’ troupe in 1975 and eventually became main stage cast of the company.
He made his first on-screen appearance in the film ‘A Wedding’ in 1978. His role, however, went uncredited. His first credited film is ‘My Bodyguard,’ which was released in 1980.
In 1981, he appeared in an episode of ‘Tax.’ He starred in TV series ‘M A S H’ in 1982.
Career
In 1982, Wendt portrayed ‘Norm Peterson’ in the TV sitcom ‘Cheers.’ The show became a hit, and so did his character. The show was about a bar set in Boston where a group of people met and socialize. ‘Cheers’ ran from 1982 to 1993.
His character became so popular that Wendt did a lot of crossover episodes in other TV shows such as ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘St. Elsewhere,’ ‘The Tortellis,’ ‘Family Guy’ and ‘Frasier.’
His role in ‘Cheers’ got him six ‘Emmy Award’ nominations for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.’ Wendt remained a part of the show in all seasons.
While starring in ‘Cheers,’ Wendt had an opportunity to appear on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1985. In the 90s, he made several appearances as ‘Bob Swerski,’ a Chicago Superfan, on ‘SNL.’
After ‘Cheers’ ended in 1993, Wendt had his own show called ‘The George Wendt Show’ where he played a mechanic for a radio show. The show was similar to the radio show ‘Car Talk.’ His show didn’t run for too long, so Wendt moved on to explore other opportunities. In 1994, he starred in the film ‘Man of the House.’
In 1999, he became a part of the film ‘Outside Province’ where he played a homosexual named ‘Joey.’ He also appeared in Michael Jackson’s music video ‘Black & White.’
From 2000 to 2010, he appeared in many TV shows, such as ‘Sabrina, The Teenage Witch’ (2001), ‘Becker’ (2002), ‘House of Dreams’ (2004), ‘Modern Men’ (2006), ‘Masters of Horror’ (2006), and ‘Saturday Morning’ (2007).
He starred as ‘Edna Turnblad’ in the Broadway musical ‘Hairspray’ in 2008. He also made an appearance in the horror film ‘Bryan Loves You.’
From 2010 onward, Wendt focused more on Broadway, and played Santa in ‘Elf the Musical.’ He reprised his role as ‘Edna Turnblad’ in a production of ‘Hairspray,’ in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He also appeared in several series, such as ‘The Ghost Whisperer’ and ‘Cubed.’ In 2011, he guest starred in TV series ‘Hot in Cleveland’ as ‘Yoder,’ which was based on his character in ‘Cheers.’
In 2013, he made a short appearance as a news reporter on ‘Portlandia.’ He also appeared in TV show ‘Harry’s Law.’ In the same year, Wendt starred in another successful play ‘Never Too Late,’ alongside his wife. He played a lumber yard owner whose life turns messy after his wife returns from a doctor’s appointment with life-changing news.
He also starred in the stage adaptation of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ with Emilia Clarke and Cory Michael Smith. In 2015, he appeared in another TV show ‘Clipped.’
In 2017, he starred in ‘The Fabulous Lipitones,’ at ‘New Theatre Restaurant,’ in Overland Park, Kansas. The same year, he starred in another play ‘Death of a Salesman,’ in Ontario, Canada, where he played the role of ‘Willy Loman.’
He is currently starring in web series ‘Verdene and Glenada.’
Personal Life
Wendt met Bernadette Birkett at ‘Second City’ and they got married in 1978. They have three children together.
His wife played Cliff’s date in season 3 of ‘Cheers.’ She also played the voice of ‘Norm’s’ wife, ‘Vera,’ in the series.
// Famous People From Illinois
George Wendt biography timelines
- // 17th Oct 1948Born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, George Robert Wendt III is the son of Loretta Mary and George Robert Wendt. His father was a navy officer and realtor.
- // 1975He was working in his father’s real estate firm when he came across the idea of pursuing a career in acting. He started working with ‘The Second City’ troupe in 1975 and eventually became main stage cast of the company.
- // 1978He made his first on-screen appearance in the film ‘A Wedding’ in 1978. His role, however, went uncredited. His first credited film is ‘My Bodyguard,’ which was released in 1980.
- // 1978Wendt met Bernadette Birkett at ‘Second City’ and they got married in 1978. They have three children together.
- // 1981In 1981, he appeared in an episode of ‘Tax.’ He starred in TV series ‘M A S H’ in 1982.
- // 1982In 1982, Wendt portrayed ‘Norm Peterson’ in the TV sitcom ‘Cheers.’ The show became a hit, and so did his character. The show was about a bar set in Boston where a group of people met and socialize. ‘Cheers’ ran from 1982 to 1993.
- // 1985While starring in ‘Cheers,’ Wendt had an opportunity to appear on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1985. In the 90s, he made several appearances as ‘Bob Swerski,’ a Chicago Superfan, on ‘SNL.’
- // 1993After ‘Cheers’ ended in 1993, Wendt had his own show called ‘The George Wendt Show’ where he played a mechanic for a radio show. The show was similar to the radio show ‘Car Talk.’ His show didn’t run for too long, so Wendt moved on to explore other opportunities. In 1994, he starred in the film ‘Man of the House.’
- // 1999In 1999, he became a part of the film ‘Outside Province’ where he played a homosexual named ‘Joey.’ He also appeared in Michael Jackson’s music video ‘Black & White.’
- // 2000From 2000 to 2010, he appeared in many TV shows, such as ‘Sabrina, The Teenage Witch’ (2001), ‘Becker’ (2002), ‘House of Dreams’ (2004), ‘Modern Men’ (2006), ‘Masters of Horror’ (2006), and ‘Saturday Morning’ (2007).
- // 2008He starred as ‘Edna Turnblad’ in the Broadway musical ‘Hairspray’ in 2008. He also made an appearance in the horror film ‘Bryan Loves You.’
- // 2010From 2010 onward, Wendt focused more on Broadway, and played Santa in ‘Elf the Musical.’ He reprised his role as ‘Edna Turnblad’ in a production of ‘Hairspray,’ in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- // 2011He also appeared in several series, such as ‘The Ghost Whisperer’ and ‘Cubed.’ In 2011, he guest starred in TV series ‘Hot in Cleveland’ as ‘Yoder,’ which was based on his character in ‘Cheers.’
- // 2013In 2013, he made a short appearance as a news reporter on ‘Portlandia.’ He also appeared in TV show ‘Harry’s Law.’ In the same year, Wendt starred in another successful play ‘Never Too Late,’ alongside his wife. He played a lumber yard owner whose life turns messy after his wife returns from a doctor’s appointment with life-changing news.
- // 2015He also starred in the stage adaptation of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ with Emilia Clarke and Cory Michael Smith. In 2015, he appeared in another TV show ‘Clipped.’
- // 2017In 2017, he starred in ‘The Fabulous Lipitones,’ at ‘New Theatre Restaurant,’ in Overland Park, Kansas. The same year, he starred in another play ‘Death of a Salesman,’ in Ontario, Canada, where he played the role of ‘Willy Loman.’
// Libra Celebrities
George Wendt's FAQ
What is George Wendt birthday?
George Wendt was born at 1948-10-17
Where is George Wendt's birth place?
George Wendt was born in Beverly, Chicago, Illinois
What is George Wendt nationalities?
George Wendt's nationalities is American
Who is George Wendt spouses?
George Wendt's spouses is Bernadette Birkett (m. 1978)
Who is George Wendt siblings?
George Wendt's siblings is Karen Wendt, Kathryn Sudeikis, Loretta Jolivette, Marti Doherty, Mary Ann Wendt, Nancy Wendt Healy, Paul Wendt, Tom Wendt
What was George Wendt universities?
George Wendt studied at Rockhurst University
How tall is George Wendt?
George Wendt's height is 173
Who is George Wendt's father?
George Wendt's father is George Robert Wendt
Who is George Wendt's mother?
George Wendt's mother is Loretta Mary (née Howard)
What is George Wendt's sun sign?
George Wendt is Libra
How famous is George Wendt?
George Wendt is famouse as Actor