Cheers star George Wendt dies aged 76

Actor George Wendt who has died aged 76 (Jeff Christensen/AP)

George Wendt, who played the affable, beer-loving barfly Norm on the hit 1980s TV comedy Cheers and later crafted a stage career that took him to Broadway in Art, Hairspray and Elf, has died. He was 76.

Wendt’s family said he died early on Tuesday morning, peacefully in his sleep while at home, according to the publicity firm The Agency Group.