George Wendt, who played Norm on 'Cheers,' dies at age 76

Actor George Wendt, who once played the ever-loyal Norm on "Cheers," died Tuesday morning at his home at age 76, his family confirmed in a statement through his publicist.

Actor George Wendt, who once played the ever-loyal Norm on "Cheers," died Tuesday morning at his home at age 76, his family confirmed in a statement through his publicist.

"George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him," the statement said. "He will be missed forever."

Wendt was one of TV’s most recognizable faces as he appeared in more than 260 episodes of the popular Boston bar-set sitcom. His character, Norm, was a jovial beer lover who sat at the same stool at the bar, which shared the show’s name.

George Wendt as Norm Peterson on "Cheers."NBCNorm was a dedicated patron of the bar “where everybody knows your name,” proving the adage true when the bar would call out “Norm!” when he walked in.

A Chicago native, Wendt began his career at The Second City comedy theater. He joined the improvisational group after he dropped out of the University of Notre Dame with a 0.0 grade-point average, according to his Second City biography.