Cheers star George Wendt died from a cardiac arrest and had numerous other health issues, it has been revealed.

The actor died on May 20 aged 76, and on Friday (Australian time) TMZ has revealed his official cause of death as listed on the certificate obtained from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

It lists the actor’s cause of death as “cardiac arrest with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as underlying causes” and adds that “end-stage renal disease – kidney failure – and hyperlipidaemia” were also contributing factors.

Hyperlipidaemia is more commonly known as high cholesterol.

Best known for his role as beer-swilling Norm Peterson on the hit NBC bar sitcom Cheers, Wendt had spoken candidly about the impact of the show on his life.

“I was lucky to be part of something that became such a beloved part of people’s lives,” he once said.

Born in 1948, Wendt became a household name throughout Cheers, which aired for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993.

Despite a rocky start with low ratings that nearly led to its cancellation after its first season, the show grew to become a defining sitcom of its era. It spent eight of its remaining 10 seasons in the top 10 shows and peaking as the most-watched program in its ninth season.

The series received 117 Emmy nominations, winning 28 awards, including outstanding comedy series four times.

Wendt, who appeared in every episode until the series ended in May 1993, was nominated for six consecutive Emmys for his portrayal of Norm,

Outside of Cheers, Wendt appeared in various television roles, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Columbo.

He had been married to Bernadette Birkett, who voiced his never-seen sitcom wife Vera on Cheers, since 1978.

The couple had three children – a daughter and two sons.