Cheers! Chicago's Beverly Neighborhood Honors George Wendt with "George Wendt Way"

Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood just said a big "Cheers!" to one of its most famous sons, George Wendt, by unveiling an honorary street sign on his childhood block. It was a heartfelt tribute to the beloved actor, best known as Norm from the iconic sitcom.

TL;DR

• Chicago's Beverly neighborhood officially dedicated "George Wendt Way" on Sunday, October 19, 2025, honoring the late actor on his childhood street.
• Wendt, famous for playing Norm Peterson on "Cheers" and a "Bears superfan" on SNL, passed away in May at 76 from a heart attack.
• Hundreds of friends, family, and fans gathered despite the rain to celebrate his life, remembering him as a kind, funny, and humble individual.

A Hometown Hero Gets His Own Way in Beverly

If you're a fan of classic TV, you definitely know George Wendt. He was the lovable barfly Norm Peterson on "Cheers," always ready with a witty remark and a thirst for a cold one. But long before he became a household name in Boston's most famous fictional pub, George Wendt was just a kid growing up in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

This past Sunday, October 19, 2025, his old stomping grounds gave him a truly special send-off, officially unveiling "George Wendt Way" at the intersection of 92nd Place and Bell Avenue. It's the very block where he spent his childhood, and where his family’s roots run deep.

A Rainy Day Couldn't Dampen the Spirits of Hundreds

Despite the cool temperatures and a bit of intermittent rain, hundreds of George's friends, family, neighbors, and fans turned out for the dedication ceremony. You might think gloomy weather would put a damper on things, but his wife of 46 years, Bernadette Birkett, knew better. "He'd be in shorts and a T-shirt," she told reporters, adding that this was "George’s kind of weather!" Bishop Larry Sullivan, who held a special mass for Wendt earlier that day, echoed the sentiment, noting that even on a cold, rainy day, George "could be a source of sunshine."

The event was a testament to how deeply George touched people's lives, both on and off screen. His niece, Erin Muldoon Stetson, beautifully summed up the collective feeling: "George has become loved by the whole world. And we couldn’t be prouder, most of all because he always stayed true to himself behind the scenes."

"The love and support for my husband and his legacy is just amazing to me, but not surprising. He had great humility, but he deserved to be loved because he was a wonderful person."

— Bernadette Birkett, George Wendt's wife

From Chicago's Stages to Hollywood's Bright Lights

George Wendt’s journey to stardom started right here in Chicago. He honed his comedic chops at the legendary Second City, where he also met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett. Fun fact: Bernadette was actually the voice of Norm’s unseen wife, Vera, on "Cheers"!

While he eventually moved to Los Angeles to chase his acting dreams, George never forgot his roots. He was a proud Chicagoan through and through. In fact, his connection to local news ran even deeper than being a regular reader of the Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune; he worked as a copy boy for the Sun-Times during his college summers, and his grandfather was even a Sun-Times photo editor!

Beyond "Cheers," Wendt delighted audiences with other iconic roles, like his portrayal of a die-hard Chicago Bears "superfan" on "Saturday Night Live." It's clear that while he became a global star, a piece of his heart always remained in the Windy City.

The Man Behind the Icon: Generous, Kind, and Truly Funny

George Wendt's passing in May at 76 from a heart attack left a void, but the dedication of "George Wendt Way" served as a vibrant celebration of his enduring spirit. His family shared heartwarming stories, painting a picture of a man who was as beloved in real life as his characters were on screen. His sister, Marti Doherty, who still lives in Beverly, was the one who came up with the idea for the honorary street sign, a fitting tribute to her brother on their shared childhood block.

Bernadette described him as "so generous and so kind and really so funny." Even his brother, Paul Wendt, noted the "burden" of looking so much like his famous sibling, joking, "I never really had a chance to get irate with anyone without anyone noticing who it was."

And for those curious about his "Cheers" character, his sister Marti shared that Norm wasn't even meant to be a main character initially. "When they started the show, he didn’t actually have a character. He was just supposed to be an extra, and then it grew into Norm, I think the first episode," she revealed. However, Bernadette cleared up one misconception about his beer-loving persona: "George drank most of his beer at home, not at a bar."

He even wrote a book in 2009, "Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer," and briefly lived with his niece Erin in Beverly during its tour. She fondly recalled him jokingly calling himself their "gentleman boarder" – just another example of his humble, good-natured personality.

A Lasting Legacy in the Heart of Chicago

The unveiling of "George Wendt Way" is more than just a street sign; it's a permanent marker of a local legend's impact. It's a reminder of a man who brought laughter and joy to millions, but who, at his core, was a humble, kind-hearted Chicagoan deeply connected to his family and his hometown. As Bernadette simply put it, watching the outpouring of love, "He deserved to be this loved." This dedication is just one of several events planned to honor his memory in Chicago this week, ensuring his legacy continues to shine brightly.

FAQ: All Your Questions About "George Wendt Way" Answered

What is "George Wendt Way" and where is it located? "George Wendt Way" is an honorary street sign dedicated to the late actor George Wendt. It’s located at the intersection of 92nd Place and Bell Avenue in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, which was his childhood block. When did the dedication ceremony for "George Wendt Way" take place? The honorary street sign was unveiled on Sunday, October 19, 2025. What was George Wendt best known for? George Wendt was most famous for his role as Norm Peterson on the hit 1980s sitcom "Cheers." He was also known for his work at Second City and as a "Bears superfan" on "Saturday Night Live." When did George Wendt pass away? George Wendt passed away in May 2025 at the age of 76 from a heart attack.

Sources:

• Sun-Times Wire (Sun-Times)
• Michelle Gallardo (ABC7 Chicago)
• WBBM (NBC Chicago)
• Scott Schneider (Fox 32 Chicago)