Latest news with #Cheers'
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jason Sudeikis remembers 'incredible influence' of uncle George Wendt: 'An amazing guy'
Jason Sudeikis remembers 'incredible influence' of uncle George Wendt: 'An amazing guy' Show Caption Hide Caption 'Cheers' actor George Wendt dies at 76 George Wendt earned six consecutive best supporting actor Emmy nominations playing Norm Peterson on NBC's "Cheers." To the world, George Wendt will always be Norm. But for Jason Sudeikis, he was just Uncle George. Less than two weeks after the beloved "Cheers" star's death, Sudeikis opened up about the impact of his late uncle during an appearance at Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, an annual fundraising event for Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 30. Wendt died "peacefully in his sleep" on May 20 at the age of 76. "He was an amazing guy," Sudeikis, 49, said. "With regard to my Uncle George, I mean, there's that old saying of, 'Don't meet your heroes,' usually because 'they let you down,' I assume, is the back half of that statement. But he's not one of those people." 'A well-loved friend': George Wendt, beloved bar regular Norm on 'Cheers,' dies at 76 Wendt was best known for his portrayal of the beer-quaffing barfly Norm Peterson on the classic NBC sitcom, and Sudeikis reflected that the actor's everyman charm wasn't limited to the TV screen. "He's as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films," the Kansas-bred actor said. "He was an incredible influence to me, both as someone that blazed the trail being from the Midwest and teaching me that acting was a career you could actually have, if you really care about it." George Wendt remembered: 'Cheers' stars Ted Danson, John Ratzenberger and Rhea Perlman pay tribute Aside from Wendt's commitment to the craft, Sudeikis added that the Illinois-born actor's humility was just as much of an inspiration. "He also always kept connected to his family, to his roots, both in Chicago, of course, where he's from, but then also the time he spent here," said Sudeikis, referring to Kansas City, where Wendt attended college. "We miss him greatly, and I love him dearly." Contributing: Bryan Alexander and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jason Sudeikis breaks silence on uncle George Wendt's death
Jason Sudeikis is honoring his late uncle George Wendt. The veteran actor, who was known for playing the iconic Norm Peterson on 'Cheers' for all 11 seasons, from 1982 to 1993, died May 20 at age 76 in his sleep. Nearly two weeks later, Sudeikis, 49, spoke about Wendt's death for the first time at the Big Slick 2025 kickoff in Kansas City over the weekend. Advertisement 15 Jason Sudeikis at day 1 of the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City on May 30. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 15 Jason Sudeikis and George Wendt in 2014. GC Images 'With regard to my uncle George, there's that saying, 'don't meet your heroes… usually cause they let you down,' I assume is the back half of that statement. But he's not one of those people,' the 'Ted Lasso' star said during a news conference at the event. Advertisement 'He's as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films,' Sudeikis continued about Wendt. 'He was an incredible influence to me, both as someone that plays the trail being from the Midwest and teaching me that acting was a career you could actually have, and it's also a career where you could meet the love of your life like his wife, and AKA permanent girlfriend, Bernadette.' 15 Jason Sudeikis speaks on stage at the 2025 Big Slick Weekend. Getty Images 'He also always kept connected to his family and to his roots both both in Chicago where he's from, and from the time he spent here going to Rockhurst college and to a bar named Mike's a whole bunch where I think he logged maybe 18 credit hours,' Sudeikis joked. 'But it was all for preparation of a job that we all know him for on 'Cheers,' and all time well spent. But yeah, we miss him greatly and I love him dearly.' Sudeikis is hosting the benefit event to raise money for Children's Mercy Hospital. He sweetly wore a jersey with Wendt's last name on the back and the number 76 (Wendt's age at death) at the celebrity softball game. Advertisement 15 Jason Sudeikis honors George Wendt at the celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium during the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend. Getty Images 15 Jason Sudeikis reps his late uncle at the Big Slick celebrity softball game. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 15 Jason Sudeikis participates in 2025 Big Slick Weekend. Getty Images Sudeikis and Wendt have always been close, with 'The George Wendt Show' star gushing over the 'Ted Lasso' actor's career in 2024. Advertisement 'It was Letterman or Conan, he said, 'Did your uncle George have any advice for you?'' Wendt recalled on the 'Still Here Hollywood' podcast. 'And Jason goes — he's so sharp — he goes, 'Yeah he told me just get on the best show on television and one of the greatest shows of all time and just pretty much take it from there.' And he goes, 'So I did.'' 15 Jason Sudeikis during the Big Slick celebrity softball game. Getty Images 15 Curt Menefee, Johnny Knoxville, Jason Sudeikis and Andy Richter at the 2025 Big Slick softball game. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 15 George Wendt, Rob Riggle and Jason Sudeikis. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 'He got 'SNL,'' the comedian, who is the brother of Sudeikis' mom, Kathy, added. 'He's such a great kid,' Wendt continued of Sudeikis. 'Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he's solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mesh, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in the show. Right?' During the interview, Wendt also reflected on his own journey into Hollywood. 'I didn't want to be in a job I hated for the rest of my life,' he admitted before noting he went through a long list of careers before landing on comedy. Advertisement Wendt ended up joining Chicago's improvisational comedy troupe Second City, which he called 'a blast.' 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis attends Apple TV +'s Primetime Emmy Party at Mother Wolf on January 15, 2024. WireImage 'I had fun and it wasn't really until I'd been there working, and then they called from Leo Burnett or something and said, 'Hey, can you send the people, some of the cast over… we're going to do some commercials or we're going to have some demos for commercials,' that sort of thing, and they said, 'Well you have to join SAG.'' Sudeikis, meanwhile, opened up about his relationship with Wendt during a 2011 interview with Playboy. Advertisement 'He's always been very encouraging, but there was no 'Tuesdays With Morrie' kind of relationship between him and I,' the 'Horrible Bosses' star explained. 'He didn't take me to the park to explain comic timing. There was nothing like that. He was just a good example that being an actor was a viable option.' 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis attends Apple TV +'s Primetime Emmy Party. Lisa O'Connor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock Sudeikis added, 'Here's a guy from the Midwest, in my family, who took the road less traveled and it worked out for him. The advice he gave me, and I say this jokingly, is 'Get on one of the best sitcoms of all time and then ride it out.'' The 'We're the Millers' alum got his start as a writer on 'Saturday Night Live' before starring as a cast member for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013. Advertisement In 2008, Sudeikis revealed to The Post that Wendt didn't give him any tips for being on the late-night sketch show, despite the 'Cheers' actor's frequent appearances on it over the years. 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis attend 'I Can't Believe They Wendt There: The Roast Of George Wendt' on September 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images 'Not at all,' he confessed. 'George is great at shepherding out advance, like, 'You know who you should talk to?' But the neat thing is, my third week there, Robert Smigel, who wrote the Superfan sketches, was like, 'Wanna help me write a Superfans thing for your uncle George and Horatio [Sanz]?' So I'm sitting there with comedy legend Robert Smigel my third week in this job that I can't believe I have, and we're writing stuff for my uncle George based on characters he's done since I was 15. It's crazy.' In 2017, Sudeikis attended 'I Can't Believe They Wendt There: The Roast Of George Wendt' in Chicago, Illinois. On the red carpe before the roast, the 'Horrible Bosses 2' vet cheekily told ABC7, 'When I realized that that show ['Cheers'] was watched by other people than my family, I thought, 'oh wow.'' Advertisement Wendt's family rep confirmed his death to The Post last month, stating that the star 'died peacefully in his sleep while at home' that morning. 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis at Big Slick Party and Auction in Kansas City. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,' their statement continued. 'He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.' At this time, no official cause of death has been revealed. During his time on the NBC sitcom, Wendt garnered six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm. The cast of 'Cheers' recently had a mini-reunion at the 2024 Emmys. 15 Nicholas Colasanto, Shelley Long, Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and George Wendt on 'Cheers.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Wendt, along with Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman and John Ratzenberger, reunited as part of a special tribute at the awards ceremony honoring some of the most beloved shows in TV history. The cast appeared on stage inside a replica of the iconic Boston bar, with host Anthony Anderson calling the sitcom 'one of the greatest television shows of all time.' 'This feels nice to be here in front of you,' Danson, 77, said, before Ratzenberger, 78, chimed in that the event was a 'long overdue class reunion.' 15 George Wendt arrives at the Alliance For Children's Rights 3rd annual celebrity right to laugh event at Avalon on June 12, 2012 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images Noticeably absent was Woody Harrelson, who couldn't make 'Cheers' because he's in a play,' Jesse Collins, an executive producer for the Emmys, told the Hollywood Reporter at the time. Following the news of Wendt's death, two of his 'Cheers' co-stars released touching statements about his life. 'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,' a rep for Danson shared with 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.' Perlman told The Post in part, 'George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
VIDEO: 62-year-old Lafitte woman hospitalized in Marrero deputy-involved shooting: JPSO
MARRERO, La. (WGNO) — A Lafitte woman has been hospitalized after she was reportedly shot by deputies following an incident that occurred on Wednesday, May 28. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the incident happened in the 7300 block of Westbank Expressway, out front of a Dollar General, around 2:15 p.m. Deputies say they performed a stop on a 2001 Isuzu SUV in a parking lot at the scene. Inside the vehicle was a 62-year-old woman from Lafitte who appeared to have a firearm. Deputies say they then backed away from the vehicle and ordered the woman to get out. Two arrested in alleged Houma car theft, chase After several minutes, the woman got out of the vehicle and allegedly pointed the weapon at deputies before being shot by several of them, proceeding to drop the weapon and fall to the ground. WARNING: The below video shows graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised. Deputies reportedly handcuffed the suspect and started on first aid. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment and will face charges, including multiple counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, upon her release. The incident was captured on body cameras and a surveillance camera from the nearby business. Anyone with additional video of the incident is asked to call the JPSO's Homicide Section at trade court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law 'Blessed and grateful': Teen survivor of Utah murder-suicide graduates high school Scientists ID new prehistoric sea creature: Nearly 40 feet long with 'crushing' teeth Texas becomes 2nd state to require app store age verification Friend of George Wendt remembers the 'Cheers' star Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hype Malaysia
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
From George Wendt To Pope Francis: 8 Celebrities Who Recently Passed Away
We often forget at times that even our favourite celebrities aren't immune to natural human occurrences, whether it be sickness or an accident that claims their life. Even though our most beloved stars leave this world, their legacy lives on in the memories and hearts of their fans and the impact they leave in their wake. From American actor George Wendt to Chinese actress Zhu Yuanyuan and even Pope Francis, we honour eight public figures who faced the world through their performances, films, and teachings. Each of these individuals left a lasting impact on their respective fields, a legacy that continues to inspire those who follow in their footsteps. 1. George Wendt 'Cheers' beloved barfly, Norm Peterson, was played by George Wendt. Sadly, the actor passed on 20th May (Tuesday) at the age of 76. Known to be a humble and kind man who had a strong dedication to his family and his craft, George was the face of one of the witty characters in all 275 episodes of the show 'Cheers'. Before he passed, he had a couple of health issues, appearing in a wheelchair when he visited a medical dialysis facility. However, it is noted that he passed peacefully in his sleep. 2. Ruth Buzzi The comedy community lost a member on 1st May (Tuesday) with long-time comedian and actor Ruth Buzzi, passing away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88. Mostly recognised for her skit as her signature character 'Gladys Ormphby' on 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in' back in 1968 until 1973. Besides her physical humour, she earned a special place in the audience's hearts with her warm and approachable personality, and will be remembered for years to come. 3. Steve Pepoon The American television writer and director, Steve Pepoon, was well known for working on shows like 'The Simpsons' and 'The Wild Thornberrys', of which he was the co-creator. Unfortunately, he passed on 3rd May (Saturday) at the age of 68, outside his home. He had been battling a severe heart condition for two years before his death. His wife, Mary Stephenson, confirmed his passing. His legacy continues, and fans and colleagues honour him with tributes to his significant contributions to television writing and animation. 4. Charley Scalies Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa was a well-loved character in the second season of the HBO series 'The Wire'. It was because of the American actor's performance that many fans of the show began recognising the late Charley Scalies. The man who was known to have a warm and humble personality succumbed to his sickness with Alzheimer's on 1st May (Tuesday), passing at the age of 84. He's also known for her performance in the hit crime drama, 'The Sopranos'. 5. Kirk Medas Fans of MTV's 'Floribama Shore' were devastated by the news of their star, Kirk Medas, passing away on 2nd May (Friday) at the early age of 33 years old. He has the nickname 'The Glue' from the rest of the group due to his ability to bring everyone together with his humour and warm personality. It was clear how much he cared about the people that he surrounded himself with. He had been suffering from pancreatitis and sepsis two weeks before he succumbed to liver failure. 6. James Foley James Foley, the director behind the sequels of the well-known movie series 'Fifty Shades of Grey', passed away on 6th May (Tuesday), at the age of 71 years old. A man who focused on the thriller and drama genres, he was renowned for the storytelling of his work to be emotionally intense and have mainly character-driven narratives. He had been fighting against prolonged brain cancer before he passed away. His other works include 2007's 'The Perfect Stranger' and 1986's 'At Close Range'. 7. Zhu Yuanyuan (朱媛媛) Beloved Chinese actress Zhu Yuanyuan, known for her reputation for her versatility and emotional depth, had passed away on 21st May (Wednesday). Many may recognise her in the television series 'The Happy Life of Talkative Zhang Damin,' which earned her the Best TV Actress Award at the Beijing Chunyan Awards and the Favorite Actress Award at the Golden Eagle Awards. Even during the five-year battle with cancer before her passing, she continued to be optimistic while showing warmth and kindness towards her fans. BONUS: Pope Francis The world mourns as the widely-loved Pope Francis passed on 21st April (Wednesday), at the age of 88 years old. While he's not a celebrity by trait, we thought he should be honourably mentioned due to the impact he made during his time as the Pope. As he led the Catholic churches for the past 13 years, he made significant changes worldwide that gained more of the population to adore him. He focused on mercy over judgment, allowing women to have more roles in some ministries, and spreading the idea of religious tolerance to others who weren't Catholic. Sources: The Straits Times, Global Times, Y! Entertainment, People (1)(2)(3)(4), Yahoo News Zaima Humaira contributed to this article.
CNN
23-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
2025 NBA playoffs guarantee historic title win
2025 NBA playoffs guarantee historic title win This year's NBA playoffs are down to four teams that haven't won a championship in decades—some never in their current cities. CNN's Harry Enten breaks down the history behind the teams battling to end their title droughts. 00:53 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos 2025 NBA playoffs guarantee historic title win This year's NBA playoffs are down to four teams that haven't won a championship in decades—some never in their current cities. CNN's Harry Enten breaks down the history behind the teams battling to end their title droughts. 00:53 - Source: CNN Anderson catches up with man sailing around the world Anderson Cooper speaks with Oliver Widger for an update on his viral adventures sailing across the world. Widger quit his job, liquidated his 401(k) and bought a sailboat to see the world with his rescue cat, Phoenix. 01:55 - Source: CNN Where Shein and Temu customers are shopping now 02:07 - Source: CNN Former clean-up man for 'Diddy' testifies Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former assistant George Kaplan, an apparent clean-up man for the defendant's Bad Boy Enterprises, took the stand to testify in the federal trial against Combs. Kaplan described his job that included preparing hotel rooms for 'Diddy' as prosecutors aim to connect Kaplan's testimony to paint a picture of a network of employees that enabled Combs' alleged abuse. 02:36 - Source: CNN Climber rescued by helicopter after 30-foot fall in California A helicopter rescue crew hoisted a climber to safety after they fell roughly 30 feet while scaling Lily Rock in Idyllwild, California. The climber was left clinging to the cliffside with a limb injury. 00:49 - Source: CNN Watch ancient tower partially collapse in eastern China A tourist attraction originally built in the 14th century in Anhui, China, partially collapsed on Monday. Local authorities have closed the Fengyang Drum Tower for maintenance following the incident. 00:56 - Source: CNN NFL players are now allowed to play flag football in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics NFL owners vote unanimously to allow players to compete in inaugural Flag Football competition at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. CNN Sports' Andy Scholes has more. 00:58 - Source: CNN See "Cheers" star George Wendt's most memorable moments Actor and comedian George Wendt, beloved for his performance as Norm Peterson on the long-running comedy series "Cheers" has died aged 76. Wendt's career spanned more than four decades, and included six consecutive Emmy nominations. CNN looks back at some of his best moments. 00:57 - Source: CNN Kermit the Frog's advice for 2025 graduates and what he learned from 'the school of life' The University of Maryland's 2025 commencement speaker Kermit the Frog shares his advice for graduates with CNN's Sara Sidner. 01:14 - Source: CNN What most people don't know about the man who played Norm on 'Cheers' CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten shares some interesting facts about 'Cheers' actor George Wendt following his death at the age of 76. 01:33 - Source: CNN Ms. Rachel meets 3-year-old from Gaza YouTube star and children's educator Rachel Accurso, whose 'Songs for Littles' have been viewed billions of times, meets and sings one of her trademark songs with Rahaf, a 3-year-old double amputee from Gaza. Accurso, who has millions of followers across social media, has been outspoken about her views that the children in Gaza face a humanitarian crisis, and says she has received both support and bullying for her posts. 03:15 - Source: CNN Lightning bolt strikes police vehicle in Oklahoma Security footage captured the moment a lightning bolt struck a police vehicle in Newcastle, Oklahoma during severe storms that swept across the southern US on Monday. No one was injured in the incident, according to the Newcastle Emergency Department. 00:18 - Source: CNN Colombian model murdered in investigated femicide A 22-year-old university student and model was killed in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, in the latest case highlighting femicide rates in Latin America. Her death is under investigation, officials say, and comes only days after a Mexican influencer was killed by a male intruder during a livestream. 00:57 - Source: CNN Cat caught smuggling drugs into prison Officers at a prison in Costa Rica captured a cat with two packages of marijuana and cocaine attached to its body. According to the Costa Rican Ministry of Justice and Peace, the officers confiscated the drugs and handed over the cat to National Animal Health Service for health evaluation. 00:31 - Source: CNN Fisherman uses drone to help girl trapped in riptide Andrew Smith, the fisherman and drone operator, says EMTs told him that the swimmer caught in a riptide probably would've died if he wasn't there with his drone to buy them enough time. 00:59 - Source: CNN
