George Wendt
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George Wendt | |
---|---|
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
Alma mater | Rockhurst University |
Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
Years active | 1978–present |
Spouse | Bernadette Birkett (1978) |
Children | 3 |
Relatives |
|
George Robert Wendt Jr. (born October 17, 1948).
Early life
George Robert Wendt Jr. was born in the Beverly neighborhood on the south side of
He attended Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He was expelled from the University of Notre Dame after he received a 0.00 GPA the first semester of his junior year. He later attended the Jesuit Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated with a B.A. in economics.
Wendt is an uncle of actor and former SNL writer and cast member Jason Sudeikis, his sister Kathryn's son.[5]
Career
Early career
Wendt is a 1975 alumnus of The Second City, which he discovered shortly after college. A viewing had inspired him to join and on his first day of employment, he showed up promptly at 11:30 am as he was instructed. The woman working there handed him a broom and said "Welcome to the theater, kid"; thus, his first job in show business was sweeping the floors.[6] Second City, located in Chicago, was also where he met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett, who played Cliff's Halloween date in the third season of Cheers and later in the series played the voice of Norm's never-seen wife, Vera.[7]
Wendt appeared in the 1980 film My Bodyguard, and had small roles in the TV series Taxi, Soap, and M*A*S*H. In 1982, Wendt landed his first role as a series regular on the CBS sitcom Making the Grade, which was created by Gary David Goldberg. The series was canceled after six episodes in the spring of that year.
Cheers
From 1982 to 1993, Wendt appeared as
Post-Cheers
His first appearance on
In 1989, Wendt appeared as the eponymous protagonist in a BBC TV dramatization of Ivan Goncharov's novel Oblomov. He has also appeared twice on the original British edition of Whose Line Is It Anyway? In 1991, Wendt played the father in Michael Jackson's music video "Black or White". He had roles opposite Robert De Niro in 1991's Guilty by Suspicion and with Mel Gibson in 1992's Forever Young.
Following his success on Cheers, Wendt starred in the short-lived The George Wendt Show, which featured him as a garage mechanic with a radio show, based on the NPR radio show Car Talk. The George Wendt Show aired from March through April 1995.
Wendt starred as the killer in one of the last episodes of the TV series
In early 1997, Wendt joined the cast of the NBC sitcom The Naked Truth as Les Polonsky, the new owner of the celebrity tabloid where the series' main characters worked. Wendt's role only lasted 13 episodes as The Naked Truth underwent further creative changes for its next season. In 1998, Wendt was one of the three characters in a London West End production of 'Art' with David Dukes and Stacy Keach. He would later join the Broadway production of the play, starring alongside Judd Hirsch and Joe Morton.
In 2003, Wendt appeared as a celebrity fisherman in the music video for
He has also appeared on
George starred in the Broadway musical Hairspray as the character of Edna Turnblad until November 2008. He appeared with his former Cheers co-star John Ratzenberger as a talent scout on Last Comic Standing during Season 6. He briefly appeared as Santa Claus in A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!. He also appeared in the 2008 horror film Bryan Loves You directed by Seth Landau.
On October 1, 2009, Wendt appeared on
2010s
Wendt appeared in a production of
Wendt is among the thespians who participated in a poster campaign touting live theatre in Chicago. Other celebrities included
Beginning in the fall of 2013, Wendt appeared in a television commercial for
From November 6, 2013, to January 19, 2014, Wendt starred in Never Too Late, a comedy with his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, at New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas. In this play, Wendt plays a successful lumber yard owner who is king of his castle and whose life is going exactly the way he wants until his wife comes back from a doctor appointment with some big news.[12]
In 2015, Wendt starred opposite his former Second City co-star Tim Kazurinsky in Bruce Graham's new comedy Funnyman at Northlight Theatre. The same year, Wendt appeared in the TBS sitcom Clipped, which aired for one season.[13]
Wendt appeared as Tracy Turnblad's mother in a production of Hairspray featuring John Waters and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Baltimore in June 2016.
Wendt starred in The Fabulous Lipitones at New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas from November 30, 2016, to February 12, 2017.[14]
Wendt starred as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman at St. Jacob's Country Playhouse in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, from October 18 to November 4, 2017.[15]
2020s
In 2023, Wendt competed in
Personal life
Wendt is married to Bernadette Birkett, and has three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel.[16]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | A Wedding | Caterer | Uncredited[17] |
1980 | Bronco Billy | Bartender | Uncredited |
My Bodyguard | Engineer | ||
Somewhere In Time | Student #2 | ||
The Gift of the Magi | Shopkeeper | Short film | |
1982 | Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again | Injured Man | |
Airplane II: The Sequel | Carry-on Baggage Attendant | Uncredited | |
1984 | Young Lust | Unknown | |
1984 | Dreamscape | Charlie Prince | |
Thief of Hearts | Marty Morrison | ||
No Small Affair | Jake | ||
1985 | Fletch | Fat Sam | |
1986 | House
|
Harold Gorton | |
Gung Ho | Buster | ||
1988 | Plain Clothes | Chet Butler | |
Never Say Die | Mr. Witten | ||
1989 | Cranium Command | Stomach | Short film |
1990 | Masters of Menace | Dr. Jack Erheart | |
1991 | Guilty by Suspicion | Bunny Baxter | |
1992 | Forever Young | Harry Finley | |
1994 | Hostage for a Day | Warren Kooey | |
The Little Rascals | Lumberyard Clerk | ||
1995 | Man of the House | Chet Bronski (Chief Running Horse) | |
1996 | Space Truckers | Keller | |
1997 | The Lovemaster | Therapist | |
Spice World | Film Producer | ||
1998 | Anarchy TV | Abbey Archer | |
Dennis the Menace Strikes Again | Policeman | Video; Uncredited[18] | |
Rupert's Land | Ivan Bloat | ||
1999 | Outside Providence
|
Joey | |
2000 | Garage: A Rock Saga | Pitching Coach | |
Lakeboat | First Mate Collins | ||
The Prime Gig | Archie | ||
Wild About Harry | Frankie | ||
2001 | Prairie Dogs | Actor | Short film |
Odessa or Bust | The Chef | ||
2002 | Teddy Bears' Picnic | General Edison "Pete" Gerberding | |
2003 | My Dinner with Jimi | Bill Uttley | |
King of the Ants | Duke Wayne | ||
2005 | As Seen On TV | Donald | Short film |
Edmond | Pawn Shop Owner | ||
Kids in America | Coach Thompson | ||
The Life Coach | George | ||
2007 | LA Blues | Mickey | |
Saturday Morning | Harold | ||
2008 | Clean Break | Chuck | |
Bryan Loves You | Mr. Flynn | ||
Unnatural Causes | Chuck | ||
2009 | Opposite Day | Corporate Exec #1 | |
Santa Buddies | Santa Claus | Direct-to-DVD | |
2016 | Wake Up America! | Richard | |
2017 | Sandy Wexler | Testimonial | |
2018 | The Independents | Eduardo | |
Dream Flight | Randall | Short film | |
Dr. Sugar | Marvin Saccharine | ||
The Deadbeat | The Great Kazoo | ||
2019 | Grand-Daddy Day Care | Big Lou | Direct-to-video |
The Climb | Jim | ||
I Lost My Body | Georges (voice) | English dub | |
Bliss | Pops | ||
VFW | Thomas Zabriski | ||
Thank You Kindly | Neighbor Bradley Walden | Short film | |
2020 | Stealing a Survivor | Mister Martin | |
2021 | Americanish | Douglas Smarts | |
2022 | Christmas with the Campbells | Robert Campbell |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | Hart to Hart | Sgt. Tate | Episode: "Murder Is a Drag" |
Soap | Counterman | Episode #4.15 | |
Taxi | The Exterminator | Episode: "Latka the Playboy" | |
1982 | Alice | Monty | Episode: "Monty Falls for Alice" |
Making the Grade | Gus Bertoia | Main role | |
M*A*S*H | Pvt. La Roche | Episode: "Trick or Treatment" | |
1982–1993 | Cheers | Norm Peterson | Main role, 275 episodes, also directed 1 episode |
1983 | Garfield on the Town | Ràoul (voice) | TV short |
Likely Stories, Vol. 4 | Wary Witness | Television film | |
1984 | Garfield in the Rough | Ranger #2 (voice) | TV short |
The Ratings Game | Mr. Sweeney | Television film | |
1985 | The Romance of Betty Boop | Johnny Throat / Punchie (voice) | TV short |
St. Elsewhere | Norm Peterson | Episode: "Cheers" | |
1986 | The Twilight Zone | Barney Schlessinger | Episode: " The World Next Door "
|
1986–1991 | Saturday Night Live | Himself (host) | 2 episodes |
1987 | The Tortellis | Norm Peterson | Episode: "Frankie Comes to Dinner" |
1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday | TV special | |
1989 | Day by Day | Stan | Episode: "Fraternity" |
The Magical World of Disney
|
Norm Peterson | Episode: "Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration" | |
1990 | The Earth Day Special | TV special | |
Wings | Episode: "The Story of Joe" | ||
1991 | Tales from the Crypt | Mr. Crosswhite | Episode: "The Reluctant Vampire" |
1991–2003 | Saturday Night Live | Bob Swerski | 8 episodes |
1992 | Roc | Stan Mason | Episode: "The Stan Who Came to Dinner" |
The Edge
|
Various | Episode #1.16 | |
Seinfeld | Himself | Episode: "The Trip: Part 1" | |
1993 | Bob | Episode: "Da Game" | |
The Building | Cappucino Guy | Episode: "The Waiting Game" | |
1994 | The Larry Sanders Show | George Wendt | Episode: "Hank's Night in the Sun" |
The Simpsons | Norm Peterson (voice) | Episode: "Fear of Flying" | |
1995 | The George Wendt Show | George Coleman | Main role |
Columbo | Graham McVeigh | Episode: "Strange Bedfellows" | |
Shame II: The Secret | Mac | Television film | |
Bye Bye Birdie | Harry MacAfee | ||
1996 | Spin City | Dan Donaldson | Episode: "The High and the Mighty" |
Alien Avengers | Charlie | Television film | |
1997 | Alien Avengers II
| ||
The Naked Truth | Les Polansky | 3 episodes | |
The Price of Heaven | Sam | Television film | |
Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Himself | 3 episodes | |
1999 | Alice in Wonderland | Fred Tweedledee | Television film |
2000 | The Pooch and the Pauper | Sheldon Sparks | |
Madigan Men | Carl | 4 episodes | |
The List | Guest Host | 1 episode | |
2001 | Strange Relations | Howard | Television film |
Robertson's Greatest Hits | Tom Robertson | ||
2001–2002 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Mike Shelby | 6 episodes |
2002 | Becker | Frank | Episode: "V-Day" |
Frasier | Norm Peterson | Episode: "Cheerful Goodbyes" | |
2004 | House of Dreams | Host | Television series |
Rock Me Baby | Monty | Episode: "Not-So-Grand Parents" | |
George Lopez | Ed | 2 episodes | |
2006 | Modern Men | Tug Clarke | 6 episodes |
Masters of Horror | Harold Thompson | Episode: "Family" | |
Santa Baby | Santa Claus | Television film | |
2007 | Imperfect Union | Duke | |
Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular | Santa Claus | ||
The Green Green Grass | Cliff Cooper | Episode: "The Special Relationship" | |
2007–2009 | Family Guy | Norm Peterson (voice) | 2 episodes |
2008 | A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! | Santa Claus | TV special |
2010 | Cubed | George Wendt | Episode #1.20 |
Less Than Kind | Tiny | Episode: "Road Trip" | |
Ghost Whisperer | George the Plumber | Episode: "The Children's Parade" | |
2011 | Hot in Cleveland | Yoder | Episode: "Where's Elka?" |
Harry's Law | Franklin Chickory | Episode: "American Girl" | |
2012 | The Seven Year Hitch | Mr. Henderson | Television film |
Kickin' It | Uncle Blake | Episode: "Kickin' It On Our Own" | |
A Christmas Wedding Date | Mr. Destiny | Television film | |
Merry In-Laws | Santa Claus | ||
2013 | Portlandia
|
George Heely | Episode: "Off the Grid" |
2014 | Kirstie | Duke | Episode: "Thelma's Ex" |
Verdene and Gleneda | Uncle Beanie | Episode: "A Town Called Peculiar"; web series | |
Franklin & Bash | Henry "Hank" Shae | Episode: "Honor Thy Mother" | |
2015 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Himself | Episode: "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Wears a Brown Checked Shirt and Stripey Socks" |
Clipped | Buzzy | Main role | |
2016 | Childrens Hospital | Governor Jasper Ruth | Episode: "By the Throat" |
2017 | Mommy, I Didn't Do It | J.D. Pierce | Television film |
Bill Nye Saves the World | Hacked Support Group Member / Polio | 2 episodes | |
2018 | The Greatest American Hero | Bob Rice | Television film |
Fresh Off the Boat | Harv | Episode: "Workin' the 'Ween" | |
2018–2020 | Fancy Nancy | Grandpa Clancy (voice) | 10 episodes |
2019 | Eddie's | The Captain | Television film |
Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell | Famine | Episode: "The Poor Horsemen of the Apocalypse" | |
Peyton's Places | Bob Swerski | Episode: "Da Bears" | |
The Goldbergs | Ned Frank | Episode: "Food in a Geoffy"[19] | |
Christmas 9 to 5 | Manny O'Quinn | Television film | |
2023 | The Masked Singer | The Moose | Reality Singing Competition |
Music videos
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | Ray Parker Jr.: Ghostbusters | Himself | Uncredited cameo |
1991 | Michael Jackson: Black or White | Father | Uncredited |
1993 | Soul Asylum: Black Gold | Guy Pushing Car | |
Dangerous: The Short Films | Father | "Black or White" video segment | |
1995 | Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits | ||
2000 | MxPx: Responsibility | Boss | Uncredited |
References
- ^ "George Wendt". Biography.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
- ^ "George R. Wendt, Realtor". Chicago Sun-Times. June 18, 1993. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015.
- ^ a b Kogan, Rick (July 28, 2010). "Loretta M. Wendt, 1922–2010". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017.
- ^ "Nineteen years on American funnyman Wendt returns to Kilkenny". Irish Examiner. May 26, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- US Weekly. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "George Wendt in Auburn production". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "The 25 Best TV Characters You Never See On Screen". NME, June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Guest List: George Wendt". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "'Norm!' Wendt plays Charlottetown Festival". Canada: CBC. August 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- ^ McMains, Andrew (September 6, 2013). "Ad of the Day: Aaron Rodgers Is Hounded by 'Da Bears' Fans for State Farm It's brats vs. cheese with Robert Smigel and George Wendt". Adweek. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ "Bears' Superfans in State Farm commercial with Mike Ditka". Chicago Sun-Times. November 5, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ Newtheatre.com Archived January 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Clipped, n.d., retrieved May 27, 2015
- ^ The Fabulous Lipitones, retrieved December 14, 2016
- ^ "St. Jacobs Country Playhouse | Death of a Salesman". www.draytonentertainment.com. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ^ "George Wendt". TV Guide. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- , Tim Evans — lots of people. And we had fun; it was a bonding summer with the Steppenwolf guys. We'd turn up at dawn every morning and just hang out and wait around in our outfits. ... I don't even know if anything I shot is in the movie. (subscription required)
- ^ "George Wendt". IMDb. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ Dawn, Randee (September 17, 2019). "A mini-'Cheers' reunion is coming to TV! See the pics". Today. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
External links
- George Wendt at IMDb
- George Wendt at the Internet Broadway Database
- George Wendt at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- George Wendt discography at Discogs
- George Wendt cast bio on The WB
- 2009 interview with Bullz-Eye.com