Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he’s seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic

Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic

It’s heartwarming to see such a legendary figure as John Ratzenberger, best known for his role as Norm in Cheers, still going strong and living his life off-screen with his family. With an impressive career spanning over five decades, it’s safe to say that Ratzenberger has seen and done it all.


During a rare appearance in Los Angeles this week, George Wendt, famously known for his role on Cheers, seemed noticeably different from the person we typically recognize.

On Monday, an image captured by DailyMail.com revealed that a 76-year-old individual was seen in Sherman Oaks, visiting a nearby medical dialysis center.

As a diehard admirer, I can’t help but sing praises about this television legend who became a household name by embodying the charming, easy-going barfly Norm in that unforgettable ’80s sitcom. Off-screen, he was just as jovial and endearing, making him an absolute delight to watch and admire.

In my professional opinion, during my recent encounter with the struggling actor, I noticed he appeared significantly more feeble and tired. The sight of him needing assistance from his vehicle into a wheelchair left an undeniable impression on me.

Wearing a flannel shirt, shorts, and sneakers, he was subsequently pushed into the clinic by an attendant. After undergoing treatment for about three hours, he exited the clinic in a wheelchair, clutching a pillow to his chest.

Later on, his wife of 45 years, actress Bernadette Birkett, aged 78, eventually retrieved him and assisted in getting him into the vehicle.

Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic

Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic
Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic

While details about Wendt’s present or recent health issues are kept confidential, it is known that he faced a health emergency in 2012, needing hospitalization due to chest pains.

At the time, Wendt had been scheduled to take part in a local show in Chicago. Later reports indicated that he had undergone coronary bypass surgery following the discovery of a narrowed artery by his doctors.

This Emmy Award-nominated individual has primarily stayed out of the limelight lately, making just a few brief public appearances, among which was his role as a contestant on The Masked Singer the previous year.

Lately, he unexpectedly joined the stage during the Emmy Awards in January this year, when he was back with the Cheers cast.

Wendt was reunited with his previous on-screen colleagues Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, and John Ratzenberger near a replica of the famous bar from the series, in what appeared to be a nostalgic gathering.

Cast members Shelley Long and Woody Harrelson did not attend the reunion. 

Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic
Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic
Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic

Previously, the secluded actor had been spotted in public for the last time in September 2022, when he was noticed taking a stroll in his Los Angeles neighborhood.

For 11 consecutive years, from 1982 to 1993, his famous television series “Cheers” aired, but the program nearly faced cancellation following its debut season because it struggled with poor viewership ratings.

Nevertheless, for eight out of its final ten seasons, it ranked among the top 10 most popular shows, achieving the highest viewership during Season 9.

This series garnered 28 Emmys out of 117 nominations, consistently receiving a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in every one of its 11 seasons and taking home the award four times.

Wendt impressively appeared in every episode until it went off air in May 1993.

Originally from Chicago, Wendt had an early departure from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana due to academic struggles. Subsequently, he transitioned into the world of entertainment and started by cleaning theater floors as his initial job.

Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic
Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic
Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic

After appearing as a guest star in Taxi and M*A*S*H, he had his major breakthrough on Cheers. Two years later, following the end of Cheers, he introduced a self-titled sitcom on CBS, however, this series was terminated after just eight episodes.

Besides his fame from the successful sitcom, this well-known performer has also graced our screens in television series like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Columbo, and Wings.

Additionally, he often appeared in a repeated segment called “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” on Saturday Night Live, focusing on enthusiastic sports supporters hailing from Chicago.

Since 1978, I’ve been proudly hitched to the captivating Bernadette Birkett, the enigmatic voice behind Vera from Cheers. Together, we’ve raised a wonderful daughter and two sons, and now our home buzzes with love in sunny Los Angeles.

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2024-11-22 22:34

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