Wendt, George 1948–
WENDT, George 1948–
PERSONAL
Full name, George Robert Wendt; born October 17, 1948, in Chicago, IL; married Bernadette Birkett (an actress), 1978; children: Joshua, Andrew, Hilary, Daniel, Joe. Education: Rockhurst College (now University), B.A., economics, 1971; also attended University of Notre Dame. Avocational Interests: Baseball, football, basketball.
Addresses: Agent—Paradigm Talent Agency, 360 North Crescent Dr., North Bldg., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
Career: Actor. Second City (improvisational comedy troupe), Chicago, IL, member of company, then occasional performer, beginning 1974; appeared in advertisements. Worked in construction and as a caddie.
Awards, Honors: Emmy Award nominations, outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989, all for Cheers; Genie Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a supporting role, Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, 1998, for Rupert's Land; Award for Excellence in the Arts, Goodman School of Drama, DePaul University.
CREDITS
Television Appearances; Series:
Gus Bertoia, Making the Grade, CBS, 1982.
Hilary Norman "Norm" Peterson, Cheers, NBC, 1982–93.
George Coleman, The George Wendt Show (also known as Under the Hood), CBS, 1995.
Les Polonsky, The Naked Truth (also known as Wilde Again), NBC, 1997.
Mike Selby, a recurring role, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (also known as Sabrina and Sabrina Goes to College), The WB, 2001–2002.
Host, House of Dreams, Arts and Entertainment, 2004.
Tug Clarke, Modern Men (also known as The Evolution of Man), The WB, beginning c. 2006.
Television Appearances; Miniseries:
Contestant, The Great American Spelling Bee, Fox, 2004.
Television Appearances; Movies:
Mr. Sweeney, The Ratings Game (also known as The Mogul), The Movie Channel, 1984.
Title role, Oblomov, BBC, 1989.
Warren Kooey, Hostage for a Day, Fox, 1994.
Graham McVeigh, Columbo: Strange Bedfellows (also known as Columbo: Une etrange association), ABC, 1995.
Harry MacAfee, Bye Bye Birdie (musical), ABC, 1995.
Mac, Shame II: The Secret, Lifetime, 1995.
Charlie, Alien Avengers (also known as Roger Corman Presents "Alien Avengers" and Welcome to Planet Earth), Showtime, 1996.
Charlie, Alien Avengers II (also known as Aliens among Us, Roger Corman Presents "Alien Avengers II," and Welcome to Planet Earth II), Showtime, 1997.
Sam, The Price of Heaven (also known as Blessed Assurance), CBS, 1997.
Fred Tweedledee, Alice in Wonderland, NBC, 1999.
Sheldon Sparks, The Pooch and the Pauper, ABC, 1999.
Archie, The Prime Gig, Independent Film Channel, 2000.
Howard, My Beautiful Son (also known as Strange Relations), Showtime, 2001.
Television Appearances; Specials:
Avery Schreiber Live from the Second City, 1980.
Bill Murray Live from the Second City, 1980.
Voice of Raoul, Garfield on the Town (animated), CBS, 1983.
Voice of second ranger, Garfield in the Rough (animated), CBS, 1984.
Voice of Johnnie Throat, The Romance of Betty Boop (animated), CBS, 1985.
The Second City 25th Anniversary Special, HBO, 1985.
Larry, Comic Relief, HBO, 1986.
The 55th Annual King Orange Jamboree Parade, NBC, 1988.
Improv Tonight, syndicated, 1988.
"Mickey's 60th Birthday Special," The Magical World of Disney, NBC, 1988.
Cheers: Special 200th Episode Celebration, NBC, 1990.
"Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration," The Magical World of Disney, NBC, 1990.
Super Bloopers & New Practical Jokes, NBC, 1990.
Time Warner Presents the Earth Day Special (also known as The Earth Day Special), ABC, 1990.
A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan (also known as Los Angeles and Chicago Salute to Michael Jordan), NBC, 1991.
Dangerous (also known as Black or White), Fox, 1991.
Comic Relief V, HBO, 1992.
Last Call! A Cheers' Celebration, NBC, 1993.
Comic Relief American Comedy Festival, ABC, 1996.
(Uncredited) Member of audience, U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Tribute to Monty Python (also known as Monty Python's Flying Circus: Live at Aspen), HBO, 1998.
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley, NBC, 1998.
The Frasier Story (documentary), Channel 4 (England), 1999.
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dana Carvey, NBC, 1999.
Tom Robertson, Robertson's Greatest Hits, Nickelodeon, 2001.
(In archive footage) Second to None, PBS, 2001.
NBC 75th Anniversary Special (also known as NBC 75th Anniversary Celebration), NBC, 2002.
TV Guide 50 Best Shows of All Time: A 50th Anniversary Celebration, ABC, 2002.
(In archive footage) Bob Swerski, 101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.
Himself and witness, Whose Curse Is Worse? Red Sox and Cubs on Trial (also known as Who's Curse Is Worse: Red Sox and Cubs on Trial), ESPN, 2004.
Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:
The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1990.
Presenter, The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 1992.
Presenter, The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC, 1993.
The 10th Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1996.
Television Appearances; Episodic:
The exterminator, "Latka the Playboy," Taxi, ABC, 1981.
Monty, "Monty Falls for Alice," Alice, CBS, 1981.
Sergeant Tate (Hardy), "Murder Is a Drag," Hart to Hart, ABC, 1981.
Short order cook, Soap, ABC, 1981.
American Dream, ABC, 1981.
Private La Roche, "Trick or Treatment," M∗A∗S∗H, CBS, 1982.
Likely Stories, Vol. 4, Cinemax, c. 1983.
George, "Behind Every Great Man," Cheers, NBC, 1985.
Norm Peterson, "Cheers," St. Elsewhere, NBC, 1985.
Barney Schlesinger, "The World Next Door," The Twilight Zone, CBS, 1986.
Host, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night, and SNL), NBC, 1986, 1991.
Norm Peterson, "Frankie Comes to Dinner," The Tortellis, NBC, 1987.
Himself, "The Ratings Game—Miss Piggy's Hollywood, The Jim Henson Hour, NBC, 1989.
Stan, "Fraternity," Day by Day, NBC, 1989.
Norm Peterson, "The Story of Joe," Wings, NBC, 1990.
Guest, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1990, 1991, 1993.
Mr. Crosswhite, "The Reluctant Vampire," Tales from the Crypt (also known as HBO's "Tales from the Crypt"), HBO, 1991.
Himself and Bob Swerski, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night, and SNL), NBC, multiple appearances between 1991 and 2003.
Himself, "The Trip: Part 1," Seinfeld, NBC, 1992.
Stan Mason, "The Stan Who Came to Dinner," Roc, Fox, 1992.
Cappuccino man, "The Waiting Game," The Building, CBS, 1993.
Himself, "Da Game," Bob, CBS, 1993.
Himself, "It Happened in Hollywood," Birds of a Feather, BBC, 1993.
(Uncredited) Guest, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1993.
Guest, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC, 1993.
Himself, "Hank's Night in the Sun," The Larry Sanders Show, HBO, 1994.
Himself, "A Hippo Never Forgets," The Martin Short Show, NBC, 1994.
Voice of Norm Peterson, "Fear of Flying," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1994.
Guest, The Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show), CBS, 1995.
Dan Donaldson, "The High and the Mighty," Spin City (also known as Spin), ABC, 1996.
Himself, "Day 1346: Friendship," Good Company (also known as The Cube), CBS, 1996.
Himself, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, ABC, multiple appearances, 1997.
Guest, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1997, 2004.
Guest, TFI Friday, Channel 4 (England), 1999.
Carl Gradowski, "The Kid's Alright," Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Carl Gradowski, "Meet the Wolfes," Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Carl Gradowski, "The Strike," Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Carl Gradowski, "Three Guys, a Girl and a Conversation Nook," Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Cheers: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2000.
Himself, "Chinese New Year's Day," TV Funhouse, Comedy Central, 2001.
"Comedians Special," Weakest Link, NBC, 2001.
Guest, Primetime Glick, Comedy Central, 2001.
Frank, "V-Day," Becker, CBS, 2002.
Norm Peterson, "Cheerful Goodbyes," Frasier, NBC, 2002.
Himself, JKX: The Jamie Kennedy Experiment (also known as The Jamie Kennedy Experiment and JKX), The WB, 2002.
Boss, "The Simple Life," George Lopez, ABC, 2004.
Boss, "Trouble in Paradise," George Lopez, ABC, 2004.
Himself, "Chicago Tour," Dweezil and Lisa, Food Network, 2004.
Monty Dix, "Not So Grand Parents," Rock Me Baby, UPN, 2004.
Guest, The Wayne Brady Show, syndicated, 2004.
Himself, Lingo, Game Show Network, 2005.
Himself, Situation: Comedy, Bravo, multiple episodes in 2005.
Appeared as himself, "Cheers," ET in TV Land, TV Land; as a celebrity guest, in Balderdash, PAX TV; in The Edge, Fox; and in TV Tales, E! Entertainment Television.
Television Appearances; Pilots:
Toonces, the Cat Who Could Drive a Car (also known as Toonces and Friends), NBC, 1992.
Tug Clarke, Modern Men (also known as The Evolution of Man), The WB, c. 2006.
Appeared in Nothing but Comedy, NBC.
Television Appearances; Other:
Journey's End, 1983.
Television Director; Episodic:
"Airport V," Cheers, NBC, 1988.
Film Appearances:
Hotel engineer, My Bodyguard, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1980.
Shopkeeper, The Gift of the Magi, 1980.
Student in 1972, Somewhere in Time, Universal, 1980.
Injured man, Jekyll and Hyde … Together Again, Paramount, 1982.
(Uncredited) Ticket agent, Airplane II: The Sequel (also known as Flying High II and Flying High II: The Sequel), Paramount, 1982.
Charlie Prince, Dreamscape, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1984.
Fat Sam, Fletch, Universal, 1984.
Jake, No Small Affair, Columbia, 1984.
Marty Morrison, Thief of Hearts, Paramount, 1984.
The Woman in Red, Orion, 1984.
Buster, Gung Ho (also known as Working Class Man), Paramount, 1986.
Harold Gorton, House (also known as House: Ding Dong, You're Dead), New World, 1986.
Chet Butler, Plain Clothes (also known as Glory Day), Paramount, 1988.
Mr. Witten, Never Say Die, Kings Road International, 1988.
Stomach, Cranium Command, 1989.
Bunny Baxter, Guilty by Suspicion (also known as La liste noire), Warner Bros., 1991.
Dr. Jack Erheart, Masters of Menace, RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, 1991.
Harry Finley, Forever Young, Warner Bros., 1992.
Lumber yard clerk, The Little Rascals, Universal, 1994.
Chet Bronski (Chief Running Horse), The Man of the House (also known as Man 2 Man and Pals Forever), Buena Vista, 1995.
Mr. Keller, Space Truckers (also known as Star Truckers), Goldcrest Films International, 1996.
Therapist, The Lovemaster, 1996.
Martin Barnfield, Spice World (also known as Five, Five Girls, It's Been a Hard 15 Minutes, Spice Girls, Spice Girls: The Movie, Spice Up Your Life!, and Spiceworld), Columbia, 1997.
Abbey Archer, Anarchy TV, The Asylum, 1998.
Ivan Bloat, Rupert's Land, 1998.
(Uncredited) Police officer, Dennis the Menace Strikes Again, Warner Bros., 1998.
Joey, Outside Providence, Miramax, 1999.
Frankie, Wild about Harry, Winchester Films, 2000.
Pitching coach, Garage: A Rock Sage, Planet Art, 2000.
Actor, Prairie Dogs (short film), Prairie Dog Productions, 2001.
First mate Collins, Lakeboat, Oregon Trail Films/Cowboy Booking International, 2001.
General Edison "Pete" Gerberding, Teddy Bears' Picnic, Magnolia Pictures, 2002.
Bill Uttley, My Dinner with Jimi, Rhino Entertainment, 2003.
Duke, King of the Ants, Anthill Productions/The Asylum, 2003.
Coach Thompson, Kids in America, Kids in America/Act One Script Clearance, 2004.
Himself, America Speaks Out (documentary), Barking Harley Productions, 2004.
Himself, Life Coach: The Movie, Broad Appeal Productions, 2005.
Harold, Saturday Morning, Selman Productions, 2005.
Pawn shop man, Edmond, First Independent Pictures, 2005.
Film Work:
Coproducer, King of the Ants, Anthill Productions/The Asylum, 2003.
Stage Appearances:
Super Sunday, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA, 1988.
Tom Jones, Williamstown Theatre Festival, 1988.
Pseudolus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (musical), Williamstown Theatre Festival, 1990.
Ken Finnerty, Wild Men! (musical; also known as Wildman), Chicago, IL production, and Westside Theatre Downstairs, New York City, 1993.
Yvan, Art, Wyndham Theatre, London, then Royale Theatre, New York City, both 1998.
An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, Primary Stages, New York City, 2000.
"Babes in Arms," Ovations! Concert Celebrations of Great American Musicals, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL, 2000.
Don, Rounding Third, Northlight Theatre, Skokie, IL, 2002, then produced as a staged reading, New York City, 2002.
Appeared in Bleacher Bums, Chicago, IL production; Indians, Los Angeles production; and Lakeboat.
RECORDINGS
Videos:
Himself, The Making of "House," Anchor Bay Entertainment, 1986.
Father in "Black or White" music video, Dangerous: The Short Films (also known as Michael Jackson—Dangerous: The Short Films), 1993.
Music Videos:
Ray Parker, Jr., "Ghostbusters," 1984.
Michael Jackson, "Black or White," 1991.
Soul Asylum, "Black Gold," 1992.
MxPx, "Responsibility," 2000.
Audiobooks:
Gary Paulsen, Soldier's Heart, Listening Library, 1999.
OTHER SOURCES
Books:
Patinkin, Sheldon, The Second City: Backstage at the World's Greatest Comedy Theatre, Sourcebooks, 2000.
Periodicals:
Entertainment Weekly, March 10, 1995, p. 28.
Radio Times, January 20, 1990, p. 12.
Electronic:
Theatremania.com, http://www.theatermania.com, May 16, 2000.
More From encyclopedia.com
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Wendt, George 1948–