George Wendt, Norm from ‘Cheers,’ once mistakenly accused John Boehner on TV

The beloved character Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt, made his iconic entrance into the fictional TV bar “Cheers” without making a mistake. The regulars at the bar, including Cliff Clavin and Sam Malone, greeted Norm with a loud “Norm!!!” every time he walked in.

George Wendt, the actor who portrayed Norm, passed away last week at the age of 76. Wendt’s portrayal of Norm earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a primetime series, solidifying his place in television history.

But Wendt inadvertently found himself connected to future House Speaker John Boehner during Boehner’s first race for Congress in 1990. The connection was a result of a scandal involving former Rep. Buz Lukens, who represented Ohio’s 8th Congressional District. Lukens was caught on tape discussing inappropriate activities with a minor, leading to his conviction and subsequent primary challenge from Boehner.

Despite being the least-known candidate in the primary, Boehner’s political acumen helped him secure the Republican nomination and ultimately win the general election. Wendt’s brother-in-law, Greg Jolivette, ran against Boehner in the general election, with Wendt even appearing on late-night TV to campaign for Jolivette.

During his appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” Wendt mistakenly mixed up Lukens’ scandal with Boehner, implying that Boehner was involved in criminal activities. This led to backlash from Boehner’s campaign, who demanded an apology and clarification from Wendt.

Boehner went on to win the general election against Jolivette, solidifying his place in Congress and eventually becoming Speaker of the House. Despite the mix-up on national TV, Wendt later apologized to Boehner and the two shared a friendly conversation.

Boehner paid tribute to Wendt after his passing, acknowledging the mistaken identity incident but raising a glass in honor of the man America will always remember as Norm. The legacy of both George Wendt and John Boehner lives on, with their intertwined history adding an interesting chapter to the story of “Cheers.” Cheers to Norm and the unforgettable moments he brought to the small screen.