The cause of death for George Wendt, best known for playing the lovable Norm in the classic 1980s sitcom Cheers, has been unveiled two weeks after his passing at the age of 76.
Wendt passed away from cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 10 am on May 20, as noted in a death certificate that the Los Angeles County Public Health released on Thursday. Other contributing factors included congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.
The certificate also pointed to end-stage renal disease—commonly referred to as renal failure—and hyperlipidemia as significant factors in his death.
Reports confirmed that Wendt died peacefully in his sleep at his home, as conveyed by his family.
“George was a devoted family man and a cherished friend to those fortunate enough to know him,” his family mentioned in a statement. “We will miss him dearly.”
After his notable stint in Cheers, Wendt continued to pursue a stage career that led him to Broadway, where he appeared in productions like Art, Hairspray, and Elf.
He also starred in a brief-lived sitcom called The George Wendt Show, in addition to making guest appearances on various TV series, including Ghost Whisperer, Harry’s Law, and Portlandia. His Chicago roots were prominent, especially during gatherings to celebrate the Chicago Bears, embraced by a crowd of fellow fans on Saturday Night Live.
Wendt was part of a national tour for 12 Angry Men and participated in the production Lake Boat. His regional performances included Death of a Salesman, The Odd Couple, It’s Not Too Late, and Interesting Person.
Despite the breadth of his career in theater and television, Wendt is perhaps most fondly remembered for his role as Norm Peterson in Cheers, which brought him six consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor from 1984 to 1989.
Wendt is survived by his wife, Bernadette Burkett, and their three children, Hillary, Joe, and Daniel.
