George Wendt's 10 Biggest Motion pictures and TV Roles

Hollywood is overflowing with tributes for actor George Wendt, who died in his sleep at his dwelling in Los Angeles on Might 20, 2025, on the age of 76. Wendt was greatest identified for portraying Norm Peterson on the sitcom Cheers from 1982 to 1993. The function earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Comedy Sequence. He additionally made visitor appearances within the three different sitcoms set within the present’s universe.

Wendt started his appearing profession as a part of the improvisational theater troupe, The Sound Metropolis. In line with the actor, his first job was sweeping flooring. Fortunately, he quickly proved his expertise and managed to seek out his approach into the tv and movie business. He additionally met his spouse, Bernadette Birkett, whereas engaged on the troupe, and the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past. For the remainder of his profession, Wendt would go on to be part of a number of high-profile productions.

Listed here are George Wendt’s greatest film and television roles.

10

Lumber Retailer Man in ‘The Little Rascals’ (1994)

Tailored from Hal Roach’s Our Gang (a collection of brief movies from the Nineteen Twenties, Thirties, and Forties), The Little Rascals is about a bunch of kids who’re members of an anti-female group often called the “He-Man Lady Haters Membership.” Their loyalties quickly get examined when considered one of them falls for a preferred woman.

Untamable Children

One of many movie’s subplots entails go-kart racing, so Wendt’s character is a lumber retailer clerk who will get to work together with the children. As ordinary, he channels his mix of humor and difficult love. Imagine it or not. Donald Trump additionally seems within the film as an previous tycoon who occurs to be the daddy of one of many children competing within the race. Will there be a lot successful that we get uninterested in successful? Discover out. And be careful for a personality named Uh-Huh who says nothing however “Uh huh” all through the film.

9

Gus Bertoia in ‘Making the Grade’ (1982)

Set within the fictional Franklin Excessive Faculty in St. Louis, Making the Grade follows the non-public {and professional} lives of lecturers and college students as they take care of the challenges of public schooling. Among the many employees are a strict principal, an optimistic counselor, and a bodily schooling instructor performed by George Wendt.

Studying and Unlearning

Making the Grade didn’t final so long as many nice ‘80s sitcoms, however its early finish was a superb factor because it freed up Wendt’s schedule, permitting him to be solid in Cheers. Although it fell into obscurity, this comedy gem does properly in its exploration of the blighted lives of these navigating a hostile and unforgiving public faculty atmosphere. Be careful for Wendt’s “joke of the 12 months” within the fourth episode.

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8

Harry Finley in ‘Without end Younger’ (1992)

After his girlfriend falls right into a coma, check pilot Daniel McCormick (Mel Gibson) volunteers for a cryogenic experiment performed by his scientist buddy Harry Finley (George Wendt). Part of him sees this as one of the simplest ways to flee stress, however then an experiment that was purported to final a 12 months finally ends up lasting 53 years. What occurs when Daniel wakes up all these many years later? Without end Younger will shock you.

Toying with Science

On the top of his Cheers fame, Went topped a lot of “greatest supporting efficiency” lists with this sharply noticed, nerve-racking sci-fi fantasy drama. It was an against-type efficiency from him, since audiences have been used to seeing him in comedies, however he proved he might do absolutely anything if allowed to. Gibson was additionally impressed along with his aw-shucks kind of serviceman who bubbles with braveness and smarts,

7

George Coleman in ‘The George Wendt Present’ (1995)

After Cheers, Wendt shifted his focus to his sitcom, The George Wendt Present. In it, wisecracking brothers, George (Wendt) and Dan (Pat Finn), run a automotive storage in Madison, Wisconsin, and host a call-in radio present about automotive repairs. Nonetheless, they usually discover themselves in slapstick moments not associated to vehicles.

Wild Brothers

The George Wendt Present

Launch Date

1995 – 1994

Community

CBS

Administrators

Terry Hughes

Writers

Lew Schneider

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  Brandy Ledford

  Uncredited

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• 
• 

  Mark Christopher Lawrence

Wendt’s assured, delicate contact leavens what might have been a regular, uninspiring sitcom. He brings his ordinary everyman pleasure to the present, proving that life will be fascinating, even when probably the most weird issues maintain taking place to you. Sadly, the present by no means attracted as many eyeballs as Cheers, forcing a cancellation. Nonetheless, the eight episodes out there are price watching as they’ve a number of the funniest bits of storytelling ever seen on tv.

6

Bunny Baxter in ‘Responsible by Suspicion’ (1991)

Responsible by Suspicion covers the woes of influential American filmmaker David Merrill (Robert De Niro), who returns dwelling from Paris solely to be focused by the architects of the Hollywood Blacklist. Although he’s not a Communist, he refuses to snitch on his buddy, the screenwriter Bunny Baxter (George Wendt). Predictably, he suffers extreme penalties.

A Bullseye on the Again

This bravura have a look at a darkish time in Hollywood’s historical past stands as Wendt’s most interesting non-comedy effort. His efficiency is first-rate, and so is that of De Niro. You’ll marvel on the cinematography and costume design, too. Right here, director Irwin Winkler and his crew had each proper to protest for not being acknowledged by the Oscars. They didn’t, as a result of this was Winkler’s directorial debut, however we’ll protest for them. #JusticeForGuiltyBySuspicion

5

Jeff in ‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959 – 2003)

Followers nonetheless bow right down to the best anthology present ever made. The Twilight Zone and its quite a few revivals usually lined eerie and thought-provoking tales rooted within the science fiction, thriller, fantasy, horror, and crime genres. Many actors handed via the present, together with George Wendt, who starred within the episode, “The World Subsequent Door.”

A ‘Black Mirror-esque’ Affair

Wendt brilliantly channels the feelings of grief and confusion whereas enjoying Jeff, a middle-aged widower who stumbles upon a closet in his home that serves as a portal to a parallel universe. There, he discovers that the alternate model of his spouse is alive, however the alternate model of him is lifeless. Will there be a cross-universe romance? The episode’s bittersweet tone will maintain you glued for the complete operating time.

4

Charlie in ‘Dreamscape’ (1984)

In Dreamscape, psychic teen Alex Gardner (Dennis Quaid) is compelled to take part in a authorities mission by which folks like him are educated to enter the desires of others. Quickly, Bob Blair (Christopher Plummer), an evil new official, takes over the mission, aiming to make use of it to assassinate folks by way of desires. Fortunately, novelist Charlie (George Wendt) is raring to get behind the conspiracy, so he helps Alex.

Somebody’s Watching Your Desires

Dreamscape

Launch Date

August 15, 1984

Runtime

99 minutes

Director

Joseph Ruben

This shudder-inducing sci-fi thriller marks a formidable peak level for director Joseph Ruben and one other virtuoso, non-comedic flip by Wendt. Regardless of the malicious proceedings going down, the plot is so cool that you’re left wishing a few of it have been actual. Dennis Quaid, too, is healthier than he has ever been. Past that, the dialogue is as sharp because it will get in fast-paced motion pictures like these.

3

Mike Shelby in ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ (1996 – 2003)

Sabrina the Teenage Witch follows Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart), a 16-year-old woman who out of the blue discovers that she has magical powers (a departure from the Archie Comics collection, the place she has identified of her skills since she was little). She thus navigates a number of challenges and life below the watchful eye of her 600-year-old aunts, the witches Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick).

Life With Powers

This saucy dissection of teenage life and duty. Wendt, enjoying a newspaper boss, is unimaginable, delivering a number of of his trademark facial expressions with full Chi-town allure. You’ll admire the nod to Cheers within the episode “I, Busybody,” the place Mike enters a espresso store, and everybody raises their mugs and salutes “Mike!” — a reference to the well-known “Norm!” greeting from the sitcom.

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2

Fats Sam in ‘Fletch’ (1985)

Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Chevy Chase) from Fletch is the sort of investigative reporter who all the time irks his boss however will get the job performed. He poses as a junkie throughout an investigation right into a drug ring at a Los Angeles seaside, and whereas at it, a rich man approaches him, providing him $50,000 to kill him in order that he received’t need to endure the ache from bone most cancers anymore. Will Fletch do it?

When the Deal is Too Good…

Fletch

Launch Date

Might 31, 1985

Runtime

98 minutes

Director

Michael Ritchie

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  Tim Matheson

  Alan Stanwyk

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  Dana Wheeler-Nicholson

  Gail Stanwyk

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  Joe Don Baker

  Chief Jerry Karlin

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This literate, suspenseful movie rises above the usual comedy thriller on account of its colourful settings, taut path, and crackling dialogue. Wendt stands out because the ex-convict, Fats Sam, offering a stable and galvanizing counterpoint to Chevy Chase, whose character is all about upholding morality. The excellent news is that there’s an excellent higher sequel to this story of rousing professionalism. Try Confess, Fletch, starring John Hamm.

1

‘Cheers’ (1982 – 1993)

Occasions in Cheers play out at the titular bar in Boston, the place locals usually meet to socialize and escape life’s stresses. The proprietor and head bartender is Sam Malone (Ted Danson), a womanizing former aid pitcher for the Boston Purple Sox. Wendt’s character, Norm, is among the bar’s regulars.

A Little Drink By no means Hurts

Cheers received a whopping 28 Emmys throughout its run and spawned a number of spinoffs. From its opening theme (“The place Everyone Is aware of Your Identify” by Gary Portnoy) to its dissection of the mundane issues about life, the present by no means has a boring second. And Wendt’s character is so likable that he has been the topic of quite a few popular culture references in different reveals. Cheers to this ‘80s comedy masterpiece.