George Wendt Offered More Than Just Career Advice to Nephew Jason Sudeikis

In May 1991, Cheers star George Wendt hosted the season finale of Saturday Night Live. Looking on from the studio was his 15-year-old nephew Jason Sudeikis.

As Sudeikis built his own prosperous career as a comedian and actor, eventually becoming the face of the heartfelt sports comedy Ted Lasso, Wendt tried to offer support whenever he could. His connection with Sudeikis and other relatives was deeply important to the Cheers actor, who died Tuesday at age 76.

According to his family, Wendt—better known to some as bar patron Norm Peterson on that beloved Boston-set sitcom, which ran from 1982 through 1993—died peacefully in his sleep. “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever,” his family said in a statement.

Sudeikis’ mother, Kathryn, is one of Wendt’s sisters. Not only did the uncle and nephew remain close throughout their respective careers, but Wendt also helped Sudeikis earn his own big break as a funnyman.

Wendt helped Sudeikis get his break on SNL

Wendt, born in Chicago in October 1948, was primarily known for Cheers and earned six straight Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor on the series. He also appeared in other TV shows including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Modern Men, Clipped, and the Disney animated series Fancy Nancy.

However, one of Wendt’s most memorable characters was Chicago Bears superfan Bob Swerski on a series of Saturday Night Live sketches from 1991 through 2003. Also including Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and Robert Smigel, the quartet offered humorous sports commentary and professed their love for legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka.

The connections Wendt built on the show later helped Sudeikis. According to the 2025 documentary SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, Wendt called a producer to recommend his nephew for the sketch show. While Sudeikis initially auditioned for a cast role and was rejected, SNL did hire him as a writer in 2003. He wrote one of his first sketches for Wendt, who appeared on a “Weekend Update” segment that October.

Sudeikis cited Wendt as an inspiration

In a 2011 interview with Playboy, Sudeikis spoke about Wendt’s influence on his career. He described his uncle as “very encouraging” and said his movie and TV success helped him see acting as a viable career option.

“Here’s a guy from the Midwest, in my family, who took the road less travelled and it worked out for him,” Sudeikis said, per the Daily Mail. “The advice he gave me, and I say this jokingly, is ‘Get on one of the best sitcoms of all time and then ride it out.’”

Jason Sudeikis portrays former President George W. Bush on an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2006.

This humorous wisdom turned out to be accurate foreshadowing for Sudeikis, now 49. Within two years of joining SNL’s writers room, Sudeikis was on camera as a cast performer and became one of the show’s emerging stars. The exposure led to roles on the TV show 30 Rock and in movies such as Horrible Bosses (2011) and Hall Pass (2011). A decade later, he won his first two Emmys for his work as an actor and executive producer on Ted Lasso. Two more trophies followed in 2022.

The two appeared together just last year

Although they maintained their own busy careers, Wendt and Sudeikis did get the chance to work together in recent years.

In 2021, the pair participated in an online table read of the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life for charity. In a case of fiction mirroring real life, Wendt played Uncle Billy to Sudeikis’ character, protagonist George Bailey.

Then in June 2024, Wendt made one of his final public appearances alongside Sudeikis. According to the New York Post, the pair reprised the SNL superfans skit at the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City, Missouri. Wendt played Swerski, while Sudeikis took the part of Farley’s character, Todd O’Conner. During the skit, Wendt and Sudeikis questioned Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce about his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift and other topics.

That same month, Wendt offered high praise for his nephew—both as an actor and person—on the Still Here Hollywood podcast. “He’s such a great kid,” Wendt said. “Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he’s solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mensch, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in [Ted Lasso]. Right?”

Tyler Piccotti

News and Culture Editor, Biography.com

Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.