How did George Wendt and Bernadette Birkett meet? All about the couple as comedy actor breathes his last at 76

In latest news, it has been revealed that actor George Wendt passed away on Tuesday morning, according to People Magazine. Wendt, who was married to actress Bernadette Birkett, whom he met while working at The Second City Theatre, was known for his role as Norm Peterson in the critically acclaimed show, Cheers. Melissa Nathan, who worked as a publicist for the actor, released a statement on behalf of his family, saying:

“Beloved actor and comedian, George Wendt, best known for starring in the NBC hit comedy Cheers, has passed away. George’s family confirmed the news of his death early Tuesday morning, announcing he died peacefully in his sleep while at home.

The statement further read:

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. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

More about George Wendt's relationship with wife Bernadette Birkett, as actor passes away

George Robert Wendt, who was born on 17 October 1948, attended the University of Notre Dame, from where he was expelled due to failing grades. He later graduated from the Jesuit Rockhurst College with a degree in Economics.

It was his passion for pursuing comedy that drove him to train at The Second City Theatre company in Chicago, where he met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett, in 1976. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the couple married two years later, on 8 July 1978, and later welcomed three children, Joe (born 1978), Hilary (born 1985), and Daniel (born 1990). According to People Magazine, in 1998 George Wendt, along with his wife, Bernadette Birkett and their extended family members, appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where they took part in a comedic skit.

Geroge Wendt's daughter, Hilary often shared pictures of her parents on special occasions. In 2016, she posted a picture of the couple, wishing them a happy wedding anniversary. She wrote:

"Happy 38th anniversary to my cute parents!"

Birkett initially had a small role in season three of "Cheers," where she played the character of Sharon O'Hare, who goes on a Halloween date with Cliff, a character played by John Ratzenberger. Bernadette Birkett later voiced the character Vera Kreitzer, George Wendt's on screen wife, whose face is never seen on the show.

In a 1993 interview with People Magazine, Bernadette Birkett talked about how well George Wendt and the rest of the cast got along. She said:

"They do get along like siblings. To somebody peeking in from the outside, they look like they’re having the greatest time in the world.”

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Gerorge Wendt was a comedic genius who shot to fame with his role as Norm Peterson, a role for which he recieved six consecutive Emmy nominations, but never won. According to his IMDB profile, his other projects included "My Bodyguard," "Forever Young," "Guilty by Suspicion," "Jekyll and Hyde," "Hart to Hart," "M*A*S*H," and many more.

George Wendt, who was seventy six years at the time of his death, is survived by his wife Bernadette Birkett, their three children, and nephew, actor Jason Sudeikis.

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