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Kelsey Grammer is remembering his late 'Cheers' co-star and friend George Wendt, calling him "a lovely guy."
The Emmy winner, 70, reacted to Wendt's death while appearing on the May 21 episode of Sirius XM's Gayle King in the House, telling host Gayle King the news came as "a bit of a surprise" to him.
"George was a lovely guy," Grammer said, noting that it's "still odd to speak of him in a past tense right now" since it was so fresh.
Wendt, who played Norm Peterson on 'Cheers' opposite Grammer's Frasier Crane, died Tuesday, May 20. He was 76.
Grammer also recalled how "hysterical" Wendt was as Norm on 'Cheers', calling him "extraordinary."
Wendt's Final Public Appearance
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Wendt's publicist confirmed his death in a statement to PEOPLE, saying he "died peacefully in his sleep while at home."
"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 statement read. "The family has requested privacy during this time."
Some of Wendt's former castmates and friends have shared their fond memories of him in the days following his death, including his 'Cheers' co-stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman and John Ratzenberger.
Perlman, who played Carla Tortelli on 'Cheers', told PEOPLE she'll remember Wendt as "the sweetest, kindest man I ever met."
"It was impossible not to like him," she said. "As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it, and he loved pretending it didn't hurt. What a guy! I'll miss him more than words can say."
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