"Actor George Wendt, who started at Second City before finding fame on ‘Cheers’ as Norm, dies at 76"

George Wendt, the actor and comedian who cut his teeth at Chicago’s improvisational comedy troupe Second City before finding fame as part of the ensemble cast of the beloved 1980s NBC sitcom “Cheers,” has died. He was 76.

A native of the South Side neighborhood of Beverly, Wendt died early Tuesday at home. A resident of Los Angeles’ Studio City area since buying a home there in 1985, Wendt had been in declining health in recent years, though no cause of death was given. His death was confirmed by his publicist.

On “Cheers,” Wendt played the affable, heavyset barfly Norm Peterson, frequently holding a mug of beer in one hand and delivering a self-deprecating quip.

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