George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson in the classic television show Cheers, is an American actor and comedian. He has authored a book titled 'Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer', which is a quasi-memoir, beer book, and biography of his character. In the book, Wendt invites readers to join him in celebrating beer and all its peculiarities. While Wendt is a beer enthusiast in real life, he did not drink actual beer while playing Norm on Cheers. Instead, he had to drink flat, salty, non-alcoholic beer, which he pretended to like.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | George Wendt |
Profession | Actor, Comedian |
Known for | Norm Peterson on Cheers |
Birthplace | Chicago |
Alma mater | The Second City |
Notable awards | Six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |
Books | Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer |
Beer preferences | Pilsner Urquell on tap, Guinness, California craft-brewed IPAs |
What You'll Learn
George Wendt's book, 'Drinking with George'
George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the classic television show Cheers, has written a book titled 'Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer'. The book, published in May 2010, is a combination of a quasi-memoir, beer book, and biography of his character.
In the book, Wendt invites readers to join him at the bar with a cold beer in hand as he celebrates the beverage and all its peculiarities. He shares hilarious and frank tales of his drinking adventures, including his first sip of beer as a child in Chicago and a beer-fuelled performance with Woody Harrelson and the U.S. Women's Synchronized Swimming Team. Wendt also explores the cultural history of beer and provides answers to important questions, such as the difference between lager, stout, and ale, and how to convert a lady into a beer lover.
The book provides a fun and lighthearted approach to beer and Wendt's life, with readers feeling like they are at the bar with him, listening to his stories. It is an easy and entertaining read, full of Wendt's trademark humour and is ideal for beer lovers and fans of his work on Cheers.
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George Wendt's favourite beers
George Wendt is best known for his role as Norm Peterson in the beloved, award-winning sitcom "Cheers", which aired from 1982 to 1993. In the show, Norm is a beer-loving barfly who is seldom seen without a beer in his hand.
In real life, Wendt is also a beer enthusiast. He wrote a book titled "Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer", in which he references his time on "Cheers". In the book, Wendt invites readers to "crack open a cold one and pull up a seat at the bar" as he celebrates beer and "all its irresistible peculiarities".
Wendt's favourite beers for a celebration are Pilsner Urquell on tap, Guinness from a pub-draft can, and pretty much any California craft-brewed IPA. When it comes to Mexican beers, he recommends Corona and Dos Equis.
In an interview with ESPN, Wendt revealed that he actually had to drink fake beer while playing Norm on "Cheers". The non-alcoholic beverage was far from appealing, and Wendt said that it took "some serious acting" to pretend he liked it.
Wendt tends to be adventurous when it comes to trying new beers. He often looks for something he's never had before, as there are so many craft brews out there to explore.
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George Wendt's acting career
George Wendt is an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the classic television show Cheers. He is originally from Chicago and is of Irish and German descent. Wendt is an alumnus of The Second City, which he joined shortly after graduating from college.
Wendt's acting career began in the early 1980s, with small roles in TV series such as Taxi, Soap, and M*A*S*H. In 1982, he landed his breakthrough role as Norm Peterson on the CBS sitcom Cheers, which earned him six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He appeared in all 275 episodes of the show, as well as in spin-offs such as The Tortellis, Wings, and Frasier.
Following his success on Cheers, Wendt went on to star in his own sitcom, The George Wendt Show, in 1995, but it was short-lived. He has since appeared in numerous films and TV series, including Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), No Small Affair (1984), Fletch (1985), The Little Rascals (1994), Spice World (1997), Outside Providence (1999), and Santa Buddies (2009). Wendt has also reprised his role as Norm Peterson in various shows, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The Simpsons.
In addition to his acting career, Wendt is also a published author. In 2009, he released Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer, a book that combines his love of beer with autobiographical anecdotes and trivia.
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George Wendt's personal life
George Wendt, born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the classic television show Cheers. Wendt has also appeared in several movies, including Airplane II: The Sequel, Fletch, and Forever Young. In addition to his acting career, Wendt has a personal life that includes a love of beer, which he explores in his book "Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer".
Wendt was born in the Beverly neighborhood on the south side of Chicago and grew up in a large family with six sisters and two brothers. His parents were Loretta Mary, a photographer, and George Robert Wendt, an officer in the Navy and a realtor. Wendt attended Campion High School in Wisconsin and later studied at the University of Notre Dame, but was expelled due to poor academic performance. He then enrolled at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated with a degree in economics.
Wendt's career in show business began with a job sweeping floors at The Second City, a Chicago-based comedy troupe. He met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett, while working at The Second City, and they married in 1978. Together, they have three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel.
Wendt's love of beer is well-documented, and he has often spoken about his first sip of beer as a child in Chicago. He even wrote a book, "Drinking with George," which is a combination of beer appreciation and autobiographical anecdotes. In the book, Wendt invites readers to join him for a drink and shares his vast knowledge of brews, including the differences between lager, stout, and ale. He also offers tips on how to convert your partner into a beer lover and answers other important drinking-related questions.
In addition to his love of beer, Wendt is also an accomplished musician who enjoys playing the harmonica. He is a fan of gardening and spends a lot of time tending to his plants and flowers. He is also known for his love of classic cars and often attends car shows and auctions. Wendt is a talented cook and likes to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen. He is an avid collector of vintage board games and enjoys hosting game nights with friends and family.
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George Wendt's European travels
George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson in the television show Cheers, has had a long and illustrious career in show business. In his quasi-memoir, 'Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer', Wendt recounts his many adventures with beer, including several trips to Europe.
Wendt's European travels took him to many countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. On these trips, he sampled a wide variety of beers and developed a deep appreciation for the culture and history of brewing. He also gained a reputation as a "beer drinker's guru", known for his extensive knowledge of different brews and his witty bar humour.
One of Wendt's most memorable European adventures was a trip to the UK, where he had the opportunity to visit some of the country's most famous pubs and breweries. He sampled a wide variety of British beers, from traditional ales to modern craft brews. Wendt also took part in several beer-related events and festivals, including the Great British Beer Festival and the Cambridge Beer Festival. He even had the chance to meet and drink with some of the country's most renowned brewers.
In addition to his beer-focused travels, Wendt also took time to explore the cultural and historical offerings of Europe. He visited museums, art galleries, and historic sites, often combining his love of beer with his interest in history. For example, he visited the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, where he learned about the history of one of Ireland's most famous beers while sampling some of their unique brews. He also took part in a beer-themed walking tour of London, which took him to some of the city's most famous pubs and offered a unique perspective on the city's history.
Wendt's European travels also included a trip to Germany, where he explored the country's famous beer gardens and breweries. He sampled a wide variety of German beers, from hearty lagers to fruity hefeweizens. He even had the opportunity to attend Oktoberfest in Munich, the world's largest Volksfest, where he joined locals and tourists alike in celebrating their love of beer.
Throughout his European travels, Wendt embraced the local culture and customs, often learning about the history and traditions of each country through their unique brewing heritage. He shared his adventures and insights with his fans, offering a unique and entertaining perspective on the art of beer appreciation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, George Wendt did drink beer while playing Norm on Cheers, but it was non-alcoholic and flat. He has said that "it was some serious acting to pretend I liked that stuff".
Yes, in 2010 George Wendt published a book called "Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional's Guide to Beer". The book is part memoir, with humorous anecdotes, and part beer guide.
George Wendt has said that he likes to try beers he's never had before. He also likes to be adventurous when he's out and about. However, he has expressed a preference for beers with higher alcohol content as this "opens up a lot of the craft beers and IPAs that [he] like [s]".