George Wendt Net Worth

What Is George Wendt’s Net Worth?

George Wendt, the American actor and comedian, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $25 million. A significant portion of his wealth can be attributed to his iconic role as Norm Peterson on the long-running television sitcom “Cheers,” where he appeared in all 275 episodes from 1982 to 1993. This role not only brought him fame but also solidified his financial standing through consistent earnings and subsequent opportunities.

Earnings and Career Highlights

Wendt’s career took off when he joined The Second City, a renowned comedy troupe in Chicago, during the 1970s. Although he started by sweeping floors, his involvement with the group allowed him to hone his comedic skills and paved the way for future acting roles. He met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett, at Second City, and she would later make appearances in “Cheers.”

His breakthrough role came in 1982 with “Cheers,” where he portrayed Norm Peterson. His salary reached $200,000 per episode during the show’s peak, equating to about $5 million per season. Adjusting for inflation, this is approximately $10 million per year in today’s money. This substantial income significantly contributed to his current net worth.

Beyond “Cheers,” Wendt has made numerous appearances in film and television, further adding to his income. These include roles in movies such as “Fletch,” “Gung Ho,” “Dreamscape,” “House,” “Forever Young,” “Hostage for a Day,” “Man of the House,” and “Lakeboat.” He also appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and in shows like “Oblomov” and “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” In 1991, he was featured in Michael Jackson’s music video, and he secured roles in movies like “Guilty by Suspicion” and “Forever Young,” working alongside actors such as Robert De Niro and Mel Gibson.

Although “The George Wendt Show” lasted only one season in 1995, he continued to find work on television, including a role in one of the final episodes of “Columbo.” He also made appearances in “Seinfeld” and voiced his “Cheers” character in animated series like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” Additionally, he had roles in “Frasier” and “Becker.”

In 1994, Wendt starred in “Man of the House” with Chevy Chase, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Farrah Fawcett, and in 1999, he appeared in “Outside Providence.” His stage career also flourished, with a role in “Art” in West London and on Broadway.

In the 2000s, Wendt continued to appear in music videos and shows like “Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.” He hosted the reality show “House of Dreams” and joined the cast of “Modern Men.” He also made appearances on “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Later in the decade, he appeared in series like “Masters of Horror” and movies like “Santa Baby,” as well as stage productions such as “Twelve Angry Men.” He also appeared in the British sitcom “The Green Green Grass” and the Broadway musical “Hairspray.” In the sixth season of “Last Comic Standing,” he joined his “Cheers” co-star John Ratzenberger. He also appeared in the 2008 horror movie “Bryan Loves You.”

Collaborating with Stephen Colbert, Wendt continued to expand his portfolio. In the 2010s, he appeared in “Hairspray” again and played Santa Claus in “Elf: The Musical.” In 2011, he was in “Hot in Cleveland,” and after a cameo in “Portlandia,” he performed on stage with his wife in Kansas. More stage roles followed, and Wendt joined the sitcom “Clipped.” Before playing Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman” in Ontario, Canada, in 2017, he had yet another production of “Hairspray” in Baltimore.

Additional Ventures and Endorsements

In recent years, George Wendt has appeared in TV commercials for State Farm Insurance. These endorsements contribute to his income and maintain his public presence, further enhancing his financial stability.