Drew Droege Mourns George Wendt in Heartfelt Tribute

Drew Droege, the actor and comedian known for his viral Chloë Sevigny impersonations and Off-Broadway roles, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Cheers star George Wendt in the wake of news of Wendt’s passing. In a moving post shared on his handle @drew_droege, Droege remembered Wendt’s legendary deadpan performance as Norm Peterson and celebrated the warmth behind the iconic barfly character.

Honoring Norm Peterson

“George. You were absolutely the coolest. Effortlessly funny. A master of deadpan. We all loved Norm,” Droege wrote, capturing the affection millions felt for Wendt’s portrayal. He continued, “Which made little sense given that he was a boorish barfly. But you brought depth and kindness to him – we all knew that guy and we all wanted to have a beer with him.” The post featured a screenshot of Droege’s caption set against his simple studio backdrop, conveying both grief and gratitude.

Droege also revisited Wendt’s time on Saturday Night Live, remarking on his “insane Ditka-obsessed Da Bears character” who would scream and suffer faux heart attacks to hilarious effect. “We could not get enough of him,” the tribute reads, spotlighting Wendt’s knack for transforming a one-off sketch into an unforgettable moment.

Personal Reflections From The Pandemic

Beyond the big screen and television set, Droege highlighted his own personal connection with Wendt during the pandemic. The two participated in weekly virtual readings with producer Eugene Pack, forging a bond that Droege described as “unbelievable. You were immediately so warm and familiar – and game to do anything.” He even recalled one session when Wendt “came into the Zoom in full drag,” a surprise that Droege says he’ll “never forget.”

He closed his post by sending “my condolences to Bernadette Birkett and the rest of the world. We all loved you and we always will,” acknowledging Wendt’s longtime wife and the community of fans mourning this loss.

A Legendary Career

George Wendt first won hearts as Norm Peterson on Cheers, appearing in all 275 episodes from 1982 to 1993. His friendly patron of Boston’s favorite watering hole became a pop-culture touchstone, complete with that signature “Norm!” greeting from the bar’s regulars. Off the sitcom stage, Wendt showcased his versatility with roles in films like John Carpenter’s The Fog and on Broadway in musicals such as Hairspray.

Drew Droege’s Rise

Droege has steadily built his own reputation across stage and screen. A graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, he starred in solo shows Bright Colors and Bold Patterns and Happy Birthday Doug Off-Broadway. Television credits include guest spots on Bob’s Burgers, Grey’s Anatomy, Search Party, Drunk History, and Your Honor. He recently appeared in the Off-Broadway sensation Titanique and the feature film Queer.

Outside of scripted work, Droege co-hosts live comedy readings and champions LGBTQ+ causes. His tribute to Wendt adds a poignant chapter to his pandemic era collaborations, revealing an actor unafraid to blend humor with heartfelt recognition.

Droege’s post has since drawn comments from fellow performers and fans alike, many sharing their own favorite Norm Peterson memories. As Tributes continue to pour in, it’s clear that Wendt’s legacy—both as a television icon and a warm-hearted colleague—will endure.

Though the screen may now be a little quieter, George Wendt’s impact lives on through every toast at the bar and every hearty “Norm!” echoing across pop-culture fandoms. Droege’s words remind us why audiences fell in love with that humble regular, and why the man behind the character inspired both laughter and lasting respect.

Reporter

Sakshi

 

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.

Read full bio of Sakshi