Latest news with #GeorgeWendt
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jason Sudeikis offers touching tribute to uncle George Wendt after his passing at 76
Jason Sudeikis spent the weekend in his hometown of Kansas City over the weekend for his annual Big Slick charity event, where he also opened up about his late uncle, George Wendt. The beloved Cheers star passed away in his sleep on May 20 at 76 years of age, as a slew of stars paid tribute including his co-stars such as Ted Danson. Sudeikis was asked about his uncle during a Friday press conference for ahead of the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend fundraiser for Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. After saying he was an 'amazing guy,' the microphone cut out, as he joked, 'that's him messing with the sound board, like "Don't talk about me, quit talking about me."' 'I mean, there's that old saying of like, "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,' Sudeikis said of Wendt (via Kansas City TV station KSHB 41). 'He's as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films,' Sudeikis said of his uncle. The beloved Cheers star passed away in his sleep on May 20 at 76 years of age, as a slew of stars paid tribute including his co-stars such as Ted Danson. '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, if you really care about it,' he added. Sudeikis continued, '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, going to Rockhurst University (in Kansas City).' Sudeikis joked that he also went to, 'a bar called Mike's a whole bunch, where I think he logged maybe 18 credit hours.' 'But it was all in preparation of a job that we all know him for, Cheers. All time well spent. But yeah, we miss him greatly, and I love him dearly.' Sudeikis helps organize the annual event along with other notable Kansas City natives like Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Eric Stonestreet, Heidi Gardner, which Wendt would often participate in. Riggle added, 'I'll just say as you know as an observer too, George was always willing to participate. He was always an active participant in Big Slick whether he was umpiring the game, on stage whatever it was. He was easy with a laugh and always fun to be around.' Rudd admitted that Wendt's absence, 'will be felt,' adding, 'he's so a part of it, just as much as any of us. He is a really really sweet guy. I loved him.' The weekend culminates with a celebrity softball game, with Sudeikis honoring his uncle by wearing a Kansas City Royals jersey with Wendt 76 on the back. Last June, Wendt appeared on the Still Here Hollywood podcast with Steve Kmetko, where Wendt said his nephew Sudeikis was, 'so smart' and 'so thoughtful.' '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 mensch,' Wendt said. He also recalled Sudeikis' interview, when he was asked whether his uncle gave him any advice regarding his career. '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." He got on SNL,' Wendt said.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jason Sudeikis pays tribute to his late uncle and Cheers star George Wendt
Jason Sudeikis has paid tribute to his late uncle George Wendt and remembered him as one of his heroes.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
George Wendt's mistaken jabs at John Boehner link 'Cheers' and Ohio politics
There was no mistake when the beloved but forlorn accountant Norm Peterson chugged his way into the fictional TV bar "Cheers." "Norm!!!" hollered the regulars in unison, ranging from mail carrier Cliff Clavin to "Mayday" Sam Malone, the former Major League pitcher-turned barkeep. If only former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, or late Rep. Buz Lukens, R-Ohio, had been as recognizable to George Wendt, the actor who played Norm on the sitcom. Remembering Rep. Charlie Rangel — And A Voicemail I'll Never Forget Wendt died last week at age 76. The portly, everyman, "Willy Loman" character Wendt created was one of the most iconic in the history of comedic television. Wendt's portrayal of Norm earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a primetime series. But during Boehner's first race for Congress in 1990, Wendt inadvertently manufactured a bizarre and permanent connection to the future Speaker of the House. Read On The Fox News App In 1989, Lukens represented Ohio's 8th Congressional District. But WSYX-TV in Columbus, Ohio, secretly recorded Lukens at a McDonald's speaking with the mother of a teenage girl. Lukens talked to the woman about getting her a government job. He hoped to keep her quiet about his sexual activities with her daughter. Lukens denied any wrongdoing in public. He was charged and later convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation. But Lukens declined to step aside. That teed up a three-way Republican primary between Lukens, the former congressman who represented the district, the late Rep. Tom Kindness, R-Ohio, and Boehner. Boehner was a state legislator at the time. The scandal embroiling Lukens created a rare opportunity to head to Washington. As strange as it seems now, Boehner was the least-known of the three Republican candidates in what turned out to be a brutal primary. But Boehner's innate political acumen shone through – decades before he would ascend to the Speaker's suite. Despite the scandal, Lukens remained popular in the district. He had served as the congressman decades earlier and returned to the House when Kindness ran unsuccessfully for the Senate against late-Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, in 1986. So with the Lukens scandal, Kindness wanted his job back. And Boehner hoped to capitalize on the opportunity. By Dawn's Early Light: Battles Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Will Face In The Senate Can you top a name like that? "Congressman Kindness." No wonder it was such a challenge for the upstart, future Speaker with the unpronounceable, Teutonic surname. But Boehner won. And even though he felled Lukens and Kindness, it was not a done deal that Boehner would win the general election. Boehner ran against Democrat Greg Jolivette, the mayor of Hamilton, Ohio, the biggest city in the 8th Congressional District. Jolivette was best known for changing the name of "Hamilton," to "Hamilton!" in the 1980s. He also ran Jolly's Drive-Ins in Hamilton. Imagine 1970s hamburger joints where you can order from your car, bedecked in orange. But we're talking about "Cheers" here. Not "Happy Days." Wendt was at the height of his popularity during the summer of 1990 as Boehner and Jolivette barreled toward a general election faceoff. So Wendt appeared on late-night TV on "The Arsenio Hall Show." Look him up, kids. Hall's syndicated show was never going to beat NBC's "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in the ratings. But the program scored major headlines in 1992, when future President Bill Clinton played saxophone on the show in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic, which gravitated to Hall rather than Carson. Clinton's appearance was a seminal moment in American politics and may have helped him win the election. Certainly the most important political event on Hall's show. Wendt's appearance proved to be the second-most important. Jolivette was Wendt's brother-in-law. He periodically parachuted into Ohio's 8th District to campaign for Jolivette and against Boehner. So Hall asked him about Wendt's political involvement and Jolivette. Wendt proceeded to essentially libel Boehner on the air. Wendt never mentioned Boehner by name. But Wendt mixed up Lukens and his sex scandal with Boehner. On national TV, no less. "The guy he's running against had some problems a while back," said Wendt, referring to Jolivette's opponent, but mixing Boehner up with Lukens. "The guy from the 8th District had some convictions, some felony or a misdemeanor or something. So I think it's time for a change. One thing's for sure, I know, Greg's not going to be a criminal." Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Faces Crucial Hours As Johnson Courts Freedom Caucus Hall is an Ohio native. But he was apparently not versed in the Lukens scandal – even though it was a national story and commanded daily headlines. He didn't inquire further or correct Wendt. After all, this was a late-night comedy and variety show. Not "Meet the Press." A publicist for Hall blamed the issue entirely on Wendt, saying the host has no control over "what (guests are) going to say." Things then turned nasty when Boehner's team put out a statement. "We, like a lot of viewers, are confused about the conversation last night. We don't know if they were talking about Congressman Lukens' problems or perhaps the theft complaint filed with the Hamilton (Ohio) Police against Greg Jolivette," said the Boehner campaign. Jolivette's campaign argued this was an old allegation and it wasn't true. They then demanded that Boehner fire Barry Jackson, Boehner's campaign manager. Jackson called the episode "cheap gutter politics." Boehner himself pinned the case of mistaken identity on Wendt. He believed the actor should have been more responsible for what he said on national TV. Boehner didn't fire Jackson. Jackson worked with Boehner for years and later served as his chief of staff when he became House speaker. Wendt's gaffe was not fatal for Boehner. Even though there were nearly as many Democrats as Republicans registered in the 8th District in those days, it had elected Republicans for years. And Boehner vanquished Jolivette 61-39 percent in the general election. The rest is history for Boehner. Fast-forward to today. Boehner took to X after the actor's death. The former Speaker explained how Wendt was the brother-in-law of his opponent and "went on a late-night TV show and said some tough things." Boehner said that Wendt was "confusing me with someone else. He called later to apologize and we had a great conversation. Raising a glass tonight to the man America will always remember as Norm." Or, as they might say on the show, "Cheers."Original article source: George Wendt's mistaken jabs at John Boehner link 'Cheers' and Ohio politics
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
George Wendt's mistaken jabs at John Boehner link 'Cheers' and Ohio politics
There was no mistake when the beloved but forlorn accountant Norm Peterson chugged his way into the fictional TV bar "Cheers." "Norm!!!" hollered the regulars in unison, ranging from mail carrier Cliff Clavin to "Mayday" Sam Malone, the former Major League pitcher-turned barkeep. If only former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, or late Rep. Buz Lukens, R-Ohio, had been as recognizable to George Wendt, the actor who played Norm on the sitcom. Wendt died last week at age 76. The portly, everyman, "Willy Loman" character Wendt created was one of the most iconic in the history of comedic television. Wendt's portrayal of Norm earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a primetime series. But during Boehner's first race for Congress in 1990, Wendt inadvertently manufactured a bizarre and permanent connection to the future Speaker of the House. In 1989, Lukens represented Ohio's 8th Congressional District. But WSYX-TV in Columbus, Ohio, secretly recorded Lukens at a McDonald's speaking with the mother of a teenage girl. Lukens talked to the woman about getting her a government job. He hoped to keep her quiet about his sexual activities with her daughter. Lukens denied any wrongdoing in public. He was charged and later convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation. But Lukens declined to step aside. That teed up a three-way Republican primary between Lukens, the former congressman who represented the district, the late Rep. Tom Kindness, R-Ohio, and Boehner. Boehner was a state legislator at the time. The scandal embroiling Lukens created a rare opportunity to head to Washington. As strange as it seems now, Boehner was the least-known of the three Republican candidates in what turned out to be a brutal primary. But Boehner's innate political acumen shone through – decades before he would ascend to the Speaker's suite. Despite the scandal, Lukens remained popular in the district. He had served as the congressman decades earlier and returned to the House when Kindness ran unsuccessfully for the Senate against late-Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, in 1986. So with the Lukens scandal, Kindness wanted his job back. And Boehner hoped to capitalize on the opportunity. Can you top a name like that? "Congressman Kindness." No wonder it was such a challenge for the upstart, future Speaker with the unpronounceable, Teutonic surname. But Boehner won. And even though he felled Lukens and Kindness, it was not a done deal that Boehner would win the general election. Boehner ran against Democrat Greg Jolivette, the mayor of Hamilton, Ohio, the biggest city in the 8th Congressional District. Jolivette was best known for changing the name of "Hamilton," to "Hamilton!" in the 1980s. He also ran Jolly's Drive-Ins in Hamilton. Imagine 1970s hamburger joints where you can order from your car, bedecked in orange. But we're talking about "Cheers" here. Not "Happy Days." Wendt was at the height of his popularity during the summer of 1990 as Boehner and Jolivette barreled toward a general election faceoff. So Wendt appeared on late-night TV on "The Arsenio Hall Show." Look him up, kids. Hall's syndicated show was never going to beat NBC's "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in the ratings. But the program scored major headlines in 1992, when future President Bill Clinton played saxophone on the show in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic, which gravitated to Hall rather than Carson. Clinton's appearance was a seminal moment in American politics and may have helped him win the election. Certainly the most important political event on Hall's show. Wendt's appearance proved to be the second-most important. Jolivette was Wendt's brother-in-law. He periodically parachuted into Ohio's 8th District to campaign for Jolivette and against Boehner. So Hall asked him about Wendt's political involvement and Jolivette. Wendt proceeded to essentially libel Boehner on the air. Wendt never mentioned Boehner by name. But Wendt mixed up Lukens and his sex scandal with Boehner. On national TV, no less. "The guy he's running against had some problems a while back," said Wendt, referring to Jolivette's opponent, but mixing Boehner up with Lukens. "The guy from the 8th District had some convictions, some felony or a misdemeanor or something. So I think it's time for a change. One thing's for sure, I know, Greg's not going to be a criminal." Hall is an Ohio native. But he was apparently not versed in the Lukens scandal – even though it was a national story and commanded daily headlines. He didn't inquire further or correct Wendt. After all, this was a late-night comedy and variety show. Not "Meet the Press." A publicist for Hall blamed the issue entirely on Wendt, saying the host has no control over "what (guests are) going to say." Things then turned nasty when Boehner's team put out a statement. "We, like a lot of viewers, are confused about the conversation last night. We don't know if they were talking about Congressman Lukens' problems or perhaps the theft complaint filed with the Hamilton (Ohio) Police against Greg Jolivette," said the Boehner campaign. Jolivette's campaign argued this was an old allegation and it wasn't true. They then demanded that Boehner fire Barry Jackson, Boehner's campaign manager. Jackson called the episode "cheap gutter politics." Boehner himself pinned the case of mistaken identity on Wendt. He believed the actor should have been more responsible for what he said on national TV. Boehner didn't fire Jackson. Jackson worked with Boehner for years and later served as his chief of staff when he became House speaker. Wendt's gaffe was not fatal for Boehner. Even though there were nearly as many Democrats as Republicans registered in the 8th District in those days, it had elected Republicans for years. And Boehner vanquished Jolivette 61-39 percent in the general election. The rest is history for Boehner. Fast-forward to today. Boehner took to X after the actor's death. The former Speaker explained how Wendt was the brother-in-law of his opponent and "went on a late-night TV show and said some tough things." Boehner said that Wendt was "confusing me with someone else. He called later to apologize and we had a great conversation. Raising a glass tonight to the man America will always remember as Norm." Or, as they might say on the show, "Cheers."
Yahoo
4 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.
