George Wendt's Cause of Death Revealed 2 Weeks After the Cheers Star Died at 76

Published: June 5, 2025

Two weeks after the passing of George Wendt, his cause of death has been revealed. According to a death certificate from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, obtained by TMZ, the Cheers alum died from cardiac arrest. Other underlying causes of his death included congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension, per the death certificate.

Additionally, Wendt suffered from significant contributing conditions, including end-stage renal disease, otherwise known as kidney failure, and hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, is an "excess of lipids or fats in your blood" that can increase the "risk of heart attack and stroke because blood can't flow through your arteries easily," according to the Cleveland Clinic

On Tuesday, May 20, Wendt's publicist, Melissa Nathan, confirmed that he had died earlier that morning in a statement shared with PEOPLE. He was 76. Wendt was best known for playing Norm Peterson on Cheers, and he appeared in every episode from its 1982 premiere to its finale in 1993.

Upon the news of his death, his former costars opened up about their relationship with Wendt and reflected on some of their favorite memories. Ted Danson told PEOPLE in a statement he's "devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us."

"I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children," Danson said. "It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie."

John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on Cheers, also told PEOPLE that he was "heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend George Wendt."

"For eleven years on Cheers, we shared a stage, a lot of laughs, and a front-row seat to one of television's most beloved friendships," he wrote. "George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance — the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift."

"He was a true craftsman — humble, hilarious, and full of heart," he continued. "What you saw on screen was exactly who he was off screen with impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty to those he loved. I'll miss our conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant the most."

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