George Wendt discussed his success as Norm on ‘Cheers’ in a 1983 interview
“Cheers” stars George Wendt and John Ratzenberger reflected on the show’s rising popularity and its humor.
Updated: 5:20 PM EDT May 20, 2025
Well, I was in, uh, Chicago last week, and my family’s from Chicago, and they said, uh, when I was at home, they said, you know, there’s, there’s *** place called Cheers at the same logo at 159th and 78th Avenue, and they said, Why don’t you, uh, why don’t you just walk in there? They would all, they wanted to all perch themselves in there about 10 or 15 minutes beforehand and then just have me sort of stroll in and sit down in the car and go. How many people have said that they know *** guy just like you that is in every bar? I can identify with you 123. I, you, you counted them all, but that’s true. There is *** norm everywhere, isn’t there? Yeah, I always thought it’s when we started the show that, uh, all those guys named Norm, we used to be able to go to bars and not be paid any attention to their whole lives have changed now. Well, you guys have really had some good news lately. Cheers is Cheers is in the top 10. What took it so long? I couldn’t find it no, it’s an adult, it’s targeted for adults and, and we certainly aren’t trying to turn the kids off, but, uh, it just takes *** long time for adult shows. They don’t, uh, care that much about what’s on TV. I don’t think. Did you ever get any letters saying shame *** TV series based on *** bar? Yeah, we, we tried to write one, set in *** church, but it wasn’t funny. Yeah, in fact, well, Norm, it was, it was Norm sleeping in one of the pews. Norm isn’t really *** drinker anyway, is he? I mean he likes beer, but I mean, uh, sports maybe, but isn’t he really *** drinker drinker, oh God, yes, norm. But I thought Norm just came in and uh had *** wanted to get away from the wife and uh well yeah and the drinks to be there and the drink and *** pitcher of beer happens to be sitting in front of him when he arrives. Yeah, yeah. Norman’s *** drinker. Does the post postal service, uh, complain about your image there always hanging out in the bar should be delivering the mail. No, last when I was back home, uh, the, the little, we got *** little home post office and, uh, I stopped in there and, uh, talked to the guy, my old mailman who now runs *** little post office. He says, Jesus, he says, uh, it’s just like, uh, when I was, uh, do meal he start off at *** bar. There was *** there was *** bar in the beginning of his route and *** bar at the end of his route, you know, so if they do complain, I’ve got the fact that, you know, it does happen.
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George Wendt discussed his success as Norm on ‘Cheers’ in a 1983 interview
“Cheers” stars George Wendt and John Ratzenberger reflected on the show’s rising popularity and its humor.
Updated: 5:20 PM EDT May 20, 2025
In a 1983 interview, actors George Wendt and John Ratzenberger reflected on the growing popularity of “Cheers.” Wendt, who played Norm in the sitcom, was asked how many people told him they knew a guy just like his character. “723!” Wendt jokingly replied. “Cheers” had become a cultural hit, with its bar setting and memorable characters, including Norm and Cliff, resonating with audiences nationwide.WATCH the full interview in the video above. George Wendt died on May 20, 2025. He was 76.
In a 1983 interview, actors George Wendt and John Ratzenberger reflected on the growing popularity of “Cheers.”
Wendt, who played Norm in the sitcom, was asked how many people told him they knew a guy just like his character. “723!” Wendt jokingly replied.
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“Cheers” had become a cultural hit, with its bar setting and memorable characters, including Norm and Cliff, resonating with audiences nationwide.
WATCH the full interview in the video above.
George Wendt died on May 20, 2025. He was 76.
