A cause of death has been confirmed for “Cheers” star George Wendt, who died on May 20 at the age of 76.
The beloved actor died from cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and obtained by TMZ.
The certificate cites congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and hypertension as underlying causes of Wendt’s death, with significant contributing conditions of kidney failure and high cholesterol.
Wendt reportedly died peacefully in his sleep at his home, and cremated eight days later.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” his family said in a statement. “He will be missed forever.”
Best known for his role as Norm Peterson on “Cheers,” Wendt appeared in all 275 episodes of the NBC sitcom, which ran from 1982 to 1993. The six-time Emmy Award nominee later went on to headline “The George Wendt Show,” appear in countless movies and craft a stage career that took him to Broadway in “Art,” “Hairspray” and “Elf.”
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