Norm Peterson the "Cheers" character may have seemed as Bostonian as the Red Sox and the Freedom Trail, but the man who portrayed him, the late George Wendt, was a native Chicagoan who was forever proud of his hometown.

Fans mourned the passing of Wendt, who led a gregarious band of Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks superfans on the show featuring SNL cast members Mike Myers, Chris Farley and others during the time it captured hearts and minds on the popular TV show.

George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson in the famous 80s NBC sitcom Cheers, has died, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 76 years old. His family told the outlet Tuesday morning that Wendt died “peacefully in his sleep at home.