By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-22 19:24:08 | Updated at 2024-11-23 00:12:42
4 hours ago
Cheers alum George Wendt appeared a shadow of the man we recognize during a rare outing in Los Angeles this week.
The 76-year-old was spotted in Sherman Oaks on Monday during a visit to a local medical dialysis facility, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show.
The television icon made his name as the lovable, happy-go-lucky barfly Norm in the hit 1980s sitcom and has been known for his jovial demeanor on and off screen.
But the ailing actor seemed much more frail and weary during the health visit where he was seen being helped from a car and into a wheelchair.
Dressed in a flannel shirt, shorts, and sneakers, he was then wheeled into the clinic by a caretaker and spent three hours getting treatment before emerging in a wheelchair hugging a pillow.
He was later picked up by his wife of 45 years, actress Bernadette Birkett, 78, who helped him into the car.
Cheers alum George Wendt was snapped after a visit to a LA health clinic on Monday
The television star, 76, was seen hugging two pillows as he was pushed out in a wheelchair from a dialysis clinic in Sherman Oaks, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show
The specifics of Wendt's recent or current health struggles remain private, but the actor was known to have suffered a health scare back in 2012 when he was hospitalized with chest pains.
Wendt, who was due to perform in a local production in Chicago at the time, was later reported to have undergone coronary bypass surgery after doctor's found a constricted artery.
The multiple Emmy Award nominee has otherwise kept a low profile in recent years, making only a handful of small appearances on screen, including his stint as a contestant in The Masked Singer last year.
More recently, he made a surprise appearance on stage when he reunited with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in January this year.
Wendt was joined by former co-stars Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, and John Ratzenberger around a recreated set of the show's iconic bar.
Cast members Shelley Long and Woody Harrelson did not attend the reunion.
Wendt's wife of 45 years, actress Bernadette Birkett, 78, was later seen picking up her husband from the facility and helping him into the car
Wendt is best known for his role as the lovable barfly Norm in the hit 80s sitcom, but looked noticeably frail and weary during Monday's outing
However prior to that, the reclusive actor was last pictured out and about in September 2022 when he was seen stepping out in his LA neighborhood.
His iconic sitcom Cheers ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993, though the show was almost canceled after its first season due to low ratings.
However, it spent eight of its remaining 10 seasons in the top 10, becoming the most-watched show in Season 9.
It earned 28 Emmy Awards from 117 nominations, earning Outstanding Comedy Series nominations all 11 seasons, winning four.
Wendt impressively appeared in every episode until it went off air in May 1993.
Hailing from Chicago, prior to acting Wendt was expelled from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana over poor grades before moving into showbusiness, where his first job was sweeping a theatre floor.
The TV icon made his name as the lovable, happy-go-lucky barfly Norm in NBC sitcom Cheers
Up until this week, Wendt had not been seen in public since his surprise reunion with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in January this year
Wendt has been married to Bernadette Birkett – who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers – since 1978
Guest roles in Taxi and M*A*S*H were followed by his big break on Cheers, and two years after it finished he launched a self-titled sitcom on CBS, but it was canceled after eight episodes.
Other than his success in the hit sitcom, the popular entertainer has appeared in shows such as Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Columbo and Wings.
He also had a recurring sketch on SNL's Bill Swerski's Superfans, which was dedicated to sports fans from Chicago.
Wendt has been married to Bernadette Birkett – who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers – since 1978 and they have one daughter and two sons. The couple live in Los Angeles.
