'Cheers' star George Wendt scored iconic role with a 1-word audition

It’s wherever everybody knew his name. 

Actor George Wendt, champion known for his relation arsenic Norm Peterson successful "Cheers," died Tuesday, but successful 1 of his past interviews earlier his death, helium shared however his one-word audition sparked into him landing his iconic role.

In August, Wendt reunited with his "Cheers" co-stars Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson for their podcast, SiriusXM's "Where Everybody Knows Your Name." During their conversation, helium looked backmost connected however helium astir missed retired connected the relation that would specify his career, each due to the fact that of a scheduling conflict.

GEORGE WENDT, 'CHEERS' STAR, DEAD AT 76

Actor George Wendt's travel from a one-word audition to becoming Norm connected "Cheers" is celebrated aft his death. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

"My cause called and said, ‘You know, honey, they privation you to bash this "Cheers." Now you’re not available,' due to the fact that I had this different amusement ['Making the Grade'] astatine Paramount for CBS," Wendt remembered astatine the time.

Wendt looked backmost connected however helium astir missed retired connected the relation that would specify his career, each due to the fact that of a scheduling conflict. (CBS via Getty Images)

"Then they go, ‘But they privation you to travel successful anyway, and it’s truly small, though.' I go, ‘Oh, OK.’"

The "really small" relation was primitively conscionable 1 enactment successful the aviator episode of "Cheers."

Wendt recalled asking his agent, "How small?" to which she replied, "Well, it's truly conscionable 1 line… actually… it's conscionable 1 word… travel to deliberation of it, it's 1 syllable."

Wendt was asked to locomotion into the barroom and accidental "beer" to Shelley Long’s character, Diane Chambers.

"Cheers" formed included, (l-r) John Ratzenberger arsenic Cliff Clavin, Rhea Perlman arsenic Carla LeBec, Roger Rees arsenic Robin Colcord, Kirstie Alley arsenic Rebecca Howe, Kelsey Grammer arsenic Dr. Frasier Crane, Ted Danson arsenic Sam Malone, Bebe Neuwirth arsenic Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane, Shelley Long arsenic Diane Chambers, Woody Harrelson arsenic Woody Boyd, George Wendt arsenic Norm Peterson. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Although the audition was conscionable 1 syllable, it would yet echo done sitcom history.

After the archetypal reading, the squad down "Cheers" realized Wendt had thing much to offer. They expanded the relation and gave him a 2nd shot, arsenic helium auditioned for different quality altogether.

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"I work it," Wendt said. "And past they decided they were going to effort to marque it enactment retired wherever I could bash some shows, and past the different amusement got canceled."

Wendt's beloved "Cheers" character, Norm Peterson, became a instrumentality favorite, arsenic the predominant lawsuit had a punchline for each pint.

Wendt's beloved "Cheers" character, Norm Peterson, became a instrumentality favorite. (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Wendt died peacefully successful his slumber connected Tuesday morning, according to a connection from a household typical shared with Fox News Digital.

"George was a doting household man, a well-loved person and confidant to each of those fortunate capable to person known him," the connection read.

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"He volition beryllium missed forever. The household has requested privateness during this time."

His "Cheers" co-stars honored Wendt successful heartfelt tributes aft his death. 

Wendt's "Cheers" co-stars honored him successful heartfelt tributes aft his death.  (Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

"I americium devastated to perceive that Georgie is nary longer with us. I americium sending each my emotion to Bernadette and the children," Danson wrote successful a connection fixed to The Hollywood Reporter. "It is going to instrumentality maine a agelong clip to get utilized to this. I emotion you, Georgie."

Kelsey Grammer, who portrayed Frasier Crane connected "Cheers" earlier helium starred successful his ain spin-off, said, "I judge mourning is simply a backstage matter. But I liked George a lot. He was beloved by millions."

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"I’m heartbroken to perceive astir the passing of my person George Wendt," said co-star John Ratzenberger successful a connection of his own. "He was a existent craftsman — humble, hilarious and afloat of heart. What you saw connected surface was precisely who helium was disconnected surface with impeccable comedic timing and a heavy loyalty to those helium loved. I’ll miss our conversations and the quiescent moments of relationship that meant the most. My thoughts are with his woman Bernadette, their children, and everyone who loved him."

"Cheers" stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt reunited during the 2024 Emmys. (VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

"Cheers" co-star Rhea Perlman echoed a akin sentiment, saying, "George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest antheral I ever met." 

Perlman, who portrayed waitress Carla Tortelli successful the series, continued, "It was intolerable not to similar him. As Carla, I was often lasting adjacent to him, arsenic Norm ever took the aforesaid spot astatine the extremity of the bar, which made it casual to drawback him and bushed the crap retired of him astatine slightest erstwhile a week. I loved doing it and helium loved pretending it didn’t hurt. What a guy! I’ll miss him much than words tin say."

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"Cheers" aired 275 episodes implicit its 11-season tally connected NBC from 1982 to 1993. The beloved amusement took location 28 Emmy Awards with a full of 179 nominations.