Profile Text
Wendt in 2006, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: George Robert Wendt III
Date of Birth: October 17, 1948
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Date of Death: May 20, 2025
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: *75% Irish *25% German
George Wendt was an American actor and comedian. His roles include the series Cheers and the film House (1986).
George was the son of Loretta Mary/May (Howard) and Georg/George Robert Wendt II, who was a U.S. Navy officer and realtor. George’s father was of half German and half Irish descent. George’s mother was of Irish ancestry. He had a sister, Kathryn. George’s nephew, his sister’s son, is actor Jason Sudeikis , and his grandfather was photographer Tom Howard. George was married to actress Bernadette Birkett, until his death, with whom he has three children.
George’s paternal grandfather was William Henry Wendt (the son of George August Wendt and Marie/Mary Bertha Michalski). William was born in Illinois, to parents from Germany.
George’s paternal grandmother was Katherine C. Crowley (the daughter of Jeremiah J. Crowley and Margaret Foley). Katherine was born in Illinois, to an Irish father and a New York-born mother, of Irish descent.
George’s maternal grandfather was Thomas James “Tom” Howard, Jr. (the son of Thomas James Howard and Nellie Welch). George’s grandfather Thomas was born in Illinois. George’s great-grandfather Thomas was born in Illinois, the son of Irish parents, Thomas Howard and Bridget Conboy. Nellie was also born in Illinois, also to Irish parents, with her father’s name being Thomas Welch.
George’s maternal grandmother was named Helen M. Walsh. Helen was born in Illinois, to Irish parents.
Sources: Genealogy of George Wendt – https://www.geni.com
George’s paternal great-grandparents, Jeremiah J. Crowley and Margaret Foley, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
George’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
George’s maternal grandfather, Thomas James Howard, Jr., on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org