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.
George Wendt
@Film & Theater Personalities, Timeline and Childhood
Oct 17, 1948
Biography
Personal Details
- 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
George Wendt born at
Beverly, Chicago, Illinois
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Birth Place
Wendt met Bernadette Birkett at ‘Second City’ and they got married in 1978. They have three children together.
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Personal Life
His wife played Cliff’s date in season 3 of ‘Cheers.’ She also played the voice of ‘Norm’s’ wife, ‘Vera,’ in the series.
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Personal 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.
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Childhood & Early Life
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.
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Childhood & Early Life
Thereafter, he attended the ‘Rockhurst College’ in Kansas City, Missouri, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics.
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Childhood & Early Life
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.
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Early Career
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.
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Early Career
In 1981, he appeared in an episode of ‘Tax.’ He starred in TV series ‘M A S H’ in 1982.
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Early 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.
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Career
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.’
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Career
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.
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Career
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.’
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Career
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.’
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Career