George Wendt, Star of "Cheers" and EPCOT's "Cranium Command" Passes Away at 76
George Wendt, known mostly for his award-winning performances in an iconic NBC sitcom (and to a number of Disney Fans for his legendary performance in a cult-classic attraction) has passed away at the age of 76.
(This is a developing story we first heard from ABC News, and details surrounding his passing are unavailable as of press time.)
Known mostly for his Emmy-winning role as Norm Peterson on the long-running series, Cheers, George Wendt began his career at the Second City in Chicago.
He would personify the role of Norm on Cheers for over a decade, appearing in all 273 episodes of that series, as well as reprise appearances in the spin-offs - the short lived The Tortellis and the acclaimed series Frasier.
He was also known for hosting stints and guest appearances on Saturday Night Live, namely throughout the 90s alongside Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and Robert Smigel as the Chicago Superfans. Notably, Wendt is also the uncle of Ted Lasso star and SNL alum, Jason Sudeikis.
Disney fans might know him from a number of things - including the Disneyland 35th anniversary special, where he once again reprised the role of Norm alongside the rest of the cast of Cheers as they (in character) look back at previous visits to the park and hear a horror story from bartender Woody (Woody Harrelson) and his ghostly encounter in the park’s Haunted Mansion.
Moving forward, Wendt also appeared in the 1995 Walt Disney Pictures film Man of the House, alongside Chevy Chase and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. There, he played the role of Chet, a member and fellow step-father who is part of the father-son “tribe" called the Minotauks, who plays as a sort of advisor to Chase’s character, who is trying to bond with his future step-son.
He also was on The George Wendt Show, a (very) short-lived sitcom that focused on the relationship between two brothers, George and Dan Coleman, who own a garage in Madison, Wisconsin, and who also produce a local call-in radio show. The series debuted on CBS, but was canceled after barely a month on the air, running from March 8, 1995 to April 12, 1995.
Wendt also lent his voice to Sparks on The Wonderful World of Disney film, The Pooch and the Pauper, in 2000, and to Grandpa Clancy in Fancy Nancy.
Fans of the Disney Parks however will surely think back to the former Wonders of Life pavilion at EPCOT and the stacked cast of the attraction, “Cranium Command." Wendt lent his comedic services to the role of Stomach in the multimedia show (pictured at the top of the page), which follows the activity inside the head and body of a 12-year old boy. His character is always trying to make sure the boy in question gets his hands on food, while dressed like a city maintenance worker in a pool of water and comically large food items. It was a true standout in an already impressive ensemble that also included the late Charles Grodin, Jon Lovitz, Dana Carvey, and Kevin Nealon among others. We’ll be sure to have a burger with everything on it tonight in his honor.
Wendt is survived by his wife and three children.