A beloved face of American television — known for bringing warmth, laughter, and familiarity into millions of homes — has sadly passed away at the age of 76.

The news, confirmed on Tuesday by a family representative, has left fans across generations reflecting on one of TV’s most iconic characters.

Described by friends and colleagues as a devoted family man and loyal confidant, he was someone whose humor never faded and whose presence lit up every room — or bar — he entered.

Only now is it being revealed that the man in question was George Wendt, best known for playing Norm Peterson on the legendary NBC sitcom Cheers, which aired from 1982 to 1993.

Wendt’s passing came with a strange twist of fate — exactly 32 years to the day after the final episode of Cheers aired. His role as the lovable barfly earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations and cemented his place in sitcom history.

The show, nearly canceled after its first season, went on to become one of the most celebrated comedies in television history, spending eight seasons in the top 10 and earning 28 Emmys from 117 nominations.

Wendt appeared in every episode of the 11-season run and later made appearances in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Wings, and Columbo, while also becoming a cult favorite for his sketch comedy on SNL.

Though quieter in recent years, he made headlines with a surprise appearance at the 2023 Emmy Awards, reuniting with his Cheers co-stars on a recreation of their famous bar — a fitting toast to a man whose character was always greeted with one simple word: “Norm!”