George Wendt, an actor with an everyman charm who played the affable, beer-loving barfly Norm on the hit TV comedy Cheers has died. He was 76.

The beloved Cheers actor’s publicist confirmed news of his death on Tuesday (US time), describing him in a statement as “a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him” .

His family has requested privacy.

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 the run of Cheers, which aired for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993.

Despite a rocky start with low ratings that nearly led to the show being cancelled after its first season, it grew to become a defining sitcom of its era. It spent eight of its remaining 10 seasons in the top 10 shows and peaked 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.

Born and raised in Chicago, the actor’s path to stardom was unconventional.

He was expelled from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana due to poor grades, and then went into show business.

His first job was sweeping floors at a theatre, but he soon landed guest roles in popular shows such as Taxi and M*A*S*H before securing his breakthrough part on Cheers.

After the sitcom ended, Wendt starred in a self-titled CBS sitcom in 1995. It was cancelled after eight episodes.

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

George 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.