George Wendt, actor who played Norm on ‘Cheers,’ dead at 76

(CNN) – George Wendt, an actor and comedian who was beloved for his performance as Norm Peterson on the long-running comedy series “Cheers” has died, his family announced.

He was 76.

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

A Chicago-native, Wendt got his start in acting when he joined in the famed improv school The Second City Mainstage in 1975. He earned six Emmy nominations throughout his nearly five decade Hollywood career.

While at The Second City, Wendt appeared in the revue “One More with Fooling” and spent time in the troupe’s touring company. He left in 1980 to pursue a film and television career.

In the early 1980s, Wendt began appearing in some of his first Hollywood roles, including in TV series “Taxi,” “Alice” and “Making the Grade before landing his big break as Norm in “Cheers” in 1982.