George Wendt

Wendt's maternal grandfather was Tom Howard, a photographer for the Washington bureau of P & A Photographs, who took one of the most famous news photos ever: of murderess Ruth Snyder as she was executed at Sing Sing Prison on January 12, 1928. He modified his miniature plate camera with a long shutter release, then smuggled it into the witness room by strapping it onto his left ankle. The photo was on the front page of the next morning's New York Daily News under the headline: DEAD! The camera is at the Smithsonian Institution.

George Robert Wendt III was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, USA, to Loretta Mary (Howard) and George Robert Wendt, who was a realtor and navy officer. He attended a strict Jesuit prep school and then dropped out of Notre Dame University after a few uneventful years. He worked with the Windy City's famed Second City comedy troupe from 1974-1980.

Has played Norm Peterson on seven different shows: Cheers (1982), St. Elsewhere (1982), The Tortellis (1987), The Simpsons (1989), Wings (1990), Frasier (1993), and Family Guy (1999).

Children: Hilary Wendt (b. 1985), Joe Wendt (b. 1987) and Daniel Wendt (b. 1990) with Bernadette Birkett.

Was Originally going to play Steve Harvey's roommate on The Steve Harvey Show(1996) but the role had went to Cedric the Entertainer.

Opened in the play, "12 Angry Men" in Dallas, co-starring Richard Thomas. [February 2007]

Playing Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway [March 2008]