Kelsey Grammer shocked by ‘Cheers' co-star George Wendt's death: ‘Bit of a surprise'
Kelsey Grammer is reflecting on his longtime pal George Wendt.
The actor, 70, starred alongside the actor, who died at age 76 on Tuesday, on the NBC sitcom 'Cheers' for eight seasons from 1984 to 1993.
Now, Grammer is speaking out following Wendt's passing, revealing that 'it was a bit of a surprise.'
7 'Cheers' – Season 7 cast.
NBC via Getty Images
'George was a lovely guy,' he continued on SiriusXM's 'Gayle King In The House.'
'He was, I mean, it's still odd to speak of him in a past tense right now, but I mean, it was just yesterday morning we found out.'
Grammer, who played Frasier Crane on 'Cheers' and the spinoff 'Frasier,' recounted where he was when news of Wendt's death broke.
'I was just sitting, writing something at the moment [and] I got a call,' he explained. 'But I spoke to his family yesterday and just told him how much I liked him and, you know, choked up a little bit. But George was hysterical. I mean, for 11 years, America waited for him to walk into a bar every Thursday night and say something funny.'
And that he did, starring as Norm Peterson on the 11-season series, alongside Grammer, Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and more.
7 Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane and George Wendt as Norm Peterson on'Cheers.'
NBCUniversal via Getty Images
'And they just knew he wouldn't disappoint,' gushed Grammer. 'He was extraordinary. He sort of just loped across that floor and sit down at that stool and order that beer and say something that set the world on fire. He was an extraordinary guy.'
Wendt's family rep confirmed he passed on Tuesday, telling The Post that he 'died peacefully in his sleep while at home.'
'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,' the statement read. 'He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.'
7 Kelsey Grammer and George Wendt on'Cheers.'
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Hours after Wendt's death was confirmed, Danson, 77 — who portrayed bar owner Sam Malone, shared a heartfelt message.
'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,' a rep for the 'Man on the Inside' actor, 77, told The Post. 'I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.'
Rhea Perlman, who played cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli on the series, also shared her own sentiments.
7 Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, and George Wendt on 'Cheers.'
'George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him,' the actress, 77, told The Post. 'As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it and he loved pretending it didn't hurt. What a guy! I'll miss him more than words can say.'
During Wendt's time on the series, he earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm.
Last August, the men of the sitcom reunited on Danson and fellow 'Cheers' co-star Woody Harrelson's podcast, 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name.'
7 'Cheers' John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin, Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli, George Wendt as Norm Peterson, Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd, Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, Kirsty Alley as Rebecca Howe, Ted Danson as Sam Malone.
NBCUniversal via Getty Images
While on the episode, Wendt detailed how he landed his famous role.
'My agent called and said, 'You know, honey, they want you to do this 'Cheers,'' said the actor.
'Now you're not available,' because I had this other show ['Making the Grade'] at Paramount for CBS. Then they go, 'But they want you to come in anyway, and it's really small, though.' I go, 'Oh, okay.''
Wendt explained, 'I read it and then they decided they were going to try to make it work out where I could do both shows, and then the other show got canceled.'
7 Nick at Nite 2001 Upfront Presentation.
Getty Images
7 Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt at the 2024 Emmys.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Last year, the cast — including Wendt, Danson, Perlman, Grammer and Ratzenberger, 78 — came together as part of a special tribute at the 2024 Emmys.
'This feels nice to be here in front of you,' Danson said onstage, before Ratzenberger noted it was a 'long-overdue class reunion.'
Grammer chimed in: 'Being together brings back some great memories of a show we're all very proud of.'
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