From Chicago to "Cheers": Remembering George Wendt's lasting legacy

Axios

22-05-2025

George Wendt, star of stage and screen, passed away early Tuesday at the age of 76.
The big picture: The star of television shows like " Cheers" and "Saturday Night Live" grew up in Beverly and carved out a successful career in Hollywood by playing into his Chicago roots.
What they're saying:"He brought a uniquely Chicago sensibility to a national stage," Second City producer Kelly Leonard tells Axios. "Sure, it was a Boston bar, but that was a Chicago guy."
" Generations of people understand how funny our city is because of people like George."
Comedian and filmmaker Scott Goldstein agrees. "I loved George. He left Chicago over 40 years ago, but it never left him."
Flashback: Wendt started his career improvising and performing in Second City revues in the 1970s. After he left town in 1980, he bounced around Los Angeles before he was hired to play the character Norm Peterson on a new NBC sitcom called "Cheers."
The show was almost canceled after one season because of low ratings, but the network gave it another chance, and Wendt starred in 275 episodes.
"Cheers" helped Wendt go from a working stage actor to a household name, landing him commercial gigs, movie roles and even a recurring guest stint on "SNL." He guest-starred in the famed "Superfans" sketch in 1991 alongside greats like Mike Myers, Robert Smigel and Chris Farley.
Zoom out: Wendt fondly remembered his Chicago years, telling the Tribune in 1990 about the freedom of growing up in Beverly. "We could just jump on the Western Avenue bus and eventually be at Riverview — at Western and Belmont — without even having to ask our parents if we could go."
"Or we could take a bus to 35th, and we'd be at Sox Park. We could hop on the Rock Island and go downtown and cavort around horrible tattoo parlors and try and peek into the burlesque houses."
Wendt and his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, met in Chicago in 1976 and were married in 1978. They have lived together in the same L.A. house since 1985. He is survived by Birkett and their three children.
Wendt is also the uncle of another former Chicago improviser, Jason Sudeikis.
The intrigue: Wendt's death Tuesday coincided with the anniversary of the series finale of "Cheers," 32 years ago.
The bottom line: Wendt may be most known as a Boston barfly, but he'll forever be a Chicago legend.
Here are some reflections from Chicagoans on the passing of Wendt:
Kelly Leonard, vice president of creative strategy, Second City: "George was brilliant and funny, but also like the best dude ever. I started Second City in 1988 as a dishwasher and George was the same way then as when I was running the place. He was such a generous person who always gave back every time we had an event. He was lovable and he also knew his stuff. He was deep. I'm just gonna miss all of that."
BJ Jones, artistic director, Northlight Theatre:"It's a loss for all of us and an indelible memory in television history. But what most people don't realize is that he was a remarkable stage actor. Maybe the most underrated I've ever worked with and I did four shows with him, two world premieres. He even did Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" in Toronto. Most of all, I'm going to miss the monthly phone calls when we'd catch up on what's happening in the theater. A dedicated husband, father, artist and friend, he was a gift to us all."
Susan Messing, Chicago actor:"Grounded, humble, hysterical and very kind. He treated everyone so well. He was very good to Michael and he extended that kindness to me. A mensch to the core."
Marj Halperin, former head of the League of Chicago Theaters: "I'm stunned by the news of George Wendt's passing. George was very kind to me throughout my league years—did whatever I needed. Rest in good humor, George."
Eric Spitznagel, Chicago-based writer and author: "The first celebrity interview I ever did was with George Wendt. I was working part-time at the Second City in 1991, just out of college, and trying my luck at journalism. I wanted to write a story for a local indie mag about 'funny fat guys,' and SC producer/den mother Joyce Sloane, who was ridiculously kind to so many of us, overheard me talking about it at the theater's front bar. 'You should talk to George Wendt,' she said. She picked up the bar phone, dialed a number, and then handed me the phone. 'This is George,' the voice said. 'Joyce said you want to ask me about being funny and fat. Whatcha wanna know, kid?' I was... not prepared. But like Joyce, he was so kind and patient and eager to help, and so much smarter than my stupid questions."
Scott Goldstein, comedian and filmmaker:"I'm forever grateful that my last conversation with him was about the Southside Pope and I'm glad he got to see it happen. He was a smart, funny, kind man who always gave credit to the writers for those great 'Norm' one-liners, but he had the talent and the timing to nail each one of them."
Katie Rich, former Second City Mainstage cast member:"Being a blue-collar gal from the South Side, I always felt like George was family even though I had never met him. One time, he and his Second City cast came by the Mainstage and I poured my heart out to him about how it had always been my dream to be at Second City, but I had done that, so what do I do NOW? And he just grabbed me and hugged me. He said, 'That's exactly how I felt. I was this kid from the South Side and all I wanted was Second City. Now what? And then I ended up on a bar stool with the best writers in the world. It'll work out for you, too.'"