What happened to George Wendt? Cause of death revealed weeks after death

George Wendt, the iconic actor best known for his role as Norm Peterson on NBC’s Cheers, died in his sleep on May 20, 2025. Now, weeks after his passing at the age of 76, the official cause of death has been made public. According to a death certificate issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and obtained by TMZ, George Wendt's passing away was due to a cardiac arrest.

The document also noted several underlying health issues, including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Additional contributing conditions included end-stage renal disease, kidney failure, and hyperlipidemia, a condition associated with elevated fat levels in the blood. George Wendt was declared dead at 10 a.m. on May 20 and cremated eight days later, on May 28.

A staple on American television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Wendt portrayed the lovable barfly Norm from 1982 to 1993, earning six consecutive Emmy nominations for the role that defined a generation.

George Wendt’s last days were marked by private struggles and family support

George Wendt, known for guarding his privacy, kept his health matters away from public scrutiny. His last known public sighting came in January, when he was seen exiting a car with the assistance of a cane and support from his wife, Bernadette Birkett.

Wendt previously faced a health emergency in 2012, when he was hospitalized after experiencing chest pains. Following that episode, Newsbreak reported that the actor had dealt with mobility issues linked to weight gain. The outlet noted he had "difficulty walking for a while because of his weight."

In a statement to the New York Post, a family spokesperson shared,

“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.”

George Wendt inspired Jason Sudeikis to act, shares nephew at fundraiser

At the Big Slick fundraiser this past Friday in Kansas City, Jason Sudeikis opened his heart. Sudeikis used his time to honor his uncle, the late George Wendt.

“He’s as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films, I mean, there’s that old saying of like, ‘Don’t meet your heroes,’ usually because ‘they let you down,’ I assume, is the back half of that statement. But he’s not one of those people,” Sudeikis told the crowd.

For Sudeikis, George Wendt wasn’t just his uncle, he was a guiding light, someone who made the idea of acting feel tangible and within reach.

“He was an incredible influence to me, both as someone that plays the trail, being from the Midwest and teaching me that acting was a career you could actually have, if you really care about it,” he explained, as reported by KSHB-TV Houston.

That connection wasn’t just about career guidance. It was rooted in geography, tradition, and a bar or two along the way.

“He also always kept connected to his family, to his roots — both in Chicago, of course, where he’s from, but then also the time he spent here [at Rockhurst University in Kansas City]. And to a bar called Mike’s a whole bunch, where I think he logged maybe 18 credit hours. But it was all in preparation of a job that we all know him for, Cheers. All time well spent,” Sudeikis said.

His final words were simple, raw, and real:

“But yeah, we miss him greatly, and I love him dearly.”

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