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The Nine Children Of George Wendt's Family: Meet His Two Brothers And Six Sisters, Including The Mother Of Jason Sudeikis

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The family life of the late George Wendt, the beloved actor best known to millions as the iconic barfly Norm Peterson on the classic sitcom Cheers, was as large and colorful as his on-screen persona. Following his recent passing in May 2025 at the age of 76, interest in his personal life, particularly his enormous family, has surged.

The Chicago native was not an only child; in fact, he was one of a massive brood, growing up as one of nine children. This deep dive into the Wendt family tree reveals the names, roles, and connections of his two brothers and six sisters, providing a complete picture of the family that shaped the comedy legend.

George Wendt: A Complete Biography and Profile (The Ninth Child)

George Robert Wendt Jr. was born on October 17, 1948, in the Beverly neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Illinois.

  • Full Name: George Robert Wendt Jr.
  • Born: October 17, 1948
  • Died: May 20, 2025 (Age 76)
  • Hometown: Beverly, Chicago, Illinois
  • Parents: George Robert Wendt Sr. (U.S. Navy officer and realtor) and Loretta Mary Howard
  • Spouse: Bernadette Birkett (Married 1978)
  • Children: Three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel (plus two stepchildren, Joshua and Andrew)
  • Education: Attended Campion Jesuit High School; notoriously dropped out of the University of Notre Dame with a 0.00 GPA.
  • Career Breakthrough: Joined The Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, where he honed his improvisational skills.
  • Iconic Role: Norm Peterson on Cheers (1982–1993), which earned him six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
  • Family Connection: Uncle to actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis.

Wendt's upbringing in a large Irish-German Catholic family in Chicago was instrumental to his development as a comedian. The sheer number of siblings meant a constant environment of playful chaos and competition, which often fuels comedic talent.

His early career at The Second City is where he met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett, who is also an actress. She even had a recurring voice role on Cheers as the never-seen, long-suffering wife of Norm, Vera Peterson.

The Nine Children of George Robert Wendt and Loretta M. Howard: A Full List of Siblings

George Wendt's parents, George Robert Wendt Sr. and Loretta Mary Howard, raised a total of nine children—six daughters and three sons (including George himself). The family was a cornerstone of the Beverly neighborhood community in Chicago.

The siblings maintained a close bond throughout their lives, often gathering for family events. While George was the most famous, many of his siblings went on to have successful careers of their own, often staying out of the public spotlight. The complete list of George Wendt's siblings is as follows:

The Six Wendt Sisters

The six sisters in the Wendt family are: Kathryn, Loretta, Martha (Marti), Nancy, Karen, and Mary Ann. Each sister has lived a life mostly away from the Hollywood glare, with one notable exception that connects the family to another major comedy star.

  • Kathryn "Kathy" Wendt Sudeikis: Perhaps the most publicly known sibling due to her son's fame. She is a long-time travel agent based in the Kansas City area and is the mother of Emmy-winning actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis.
  • Loretta Wendt: Known by some family members as "Lori," she is one of the six sisters who grew up in the bustling Chicago household.
  • Martha "Marti" W. Wendt: Listed in family records, Marti is another of George's sisters, contributing to the large size of the Wendt clan.
  • Nancy Wendt: Like her siblings, Nancy was part of the nine-child family unit that provided George with his early life experiences.
  • Karen Wendt: Karen is confirmed as one of the six sisters, completing the female half of the eight siblings.
  • Mary Ann Wendt: The final sister in the large family, Mary Ann's name appears in various family tree records.

The Two Wendt Brothers

George Wendt had two brothers, Thomas and Paul, who shared his childhood and were part of the nine Wendt children.

  • Thomas "Tom" H. Wendt: Tom is one of George's two brothers. While he has maintained a private life, the bond between the brothers was likely strong, given the close-knit nature of large families.
  • Paul John Wendt: Paul is the other brother, completing the trio of Wendt sons. The three boys, along with their six sisters, created a memorable and lively home environment.

The Famous Sibling Connection: George Wendt's Link to Jason Sudeikis

The most fascinating aspect of George Wendt's family is the direct link to the next generation of comedic stardom: his nephew, Jason Sudeikis. This connection is through his sister, Kathryn "Kathy" Wendt Sudeikis.

Kathryn, a long-time travel agent in Kansas City, is the mother of the Ted Lasso star. This makes George Wendt the maternal uncle of Jason Sudeikis. The comedic talent clearly runs deep in the Wendt-Sudeikis bloodline, bridging two iconic television generations.

Jason Sudeikis has often spoken about his uncle's influence on his career. Growing up, having an uncle who was a major star on a hit show like Cheers undoubtedly provided inspiration and an early look into the world of professional comedy.

Wendt's early success at The Second City also paved the way for Sudeikis, who would later follow a similar path by joining the famed comedy troupe and eventually landing a starring role on Saturday Night Live.

The Wendt Family Legacy: Chicago Roots and Comedic Talent

The Wendt family’s deep roots in Chicago are a crucial part of their story. George Wendt's decision to drop out of Notre Dame and return to Chicago to pursue comedy at The Second City was a definitive step that shaped his life and, indirectly, his nephew's.

The Chicago comedy scene, with its emphasis on improvisation and ensemble work, is where George Wendt developed the quick wit and genial, everyman charm that made Norm Peterson an enduring character. This environment fostered a culture of performance that permeated the family.

The legacy of the Wendt family is a testament to the fact that talent can often be a family affair. While George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis are the most recognizable faces, the strong foundation provided by George Sr. and Loretta, and the support of the eight siblings—Kathryn, Loretta, Marti, Nancy, Karen, Mary Ann, Thomas, and Paul—created the environment for that success to flourish.

George Wendt's passing has brought renewed attention to his life, reminding fans that behind the beloved sitcom character was a man from a massive, supportive, and influential family. His siblings and their children continue to carry on the Wendt name and legacy, a rich tapestry woven with Chicago history and Hollywood success.

george wendt siblings
george wendt siblings

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