George Wendt Death Rumor Debunked: Inside the NY Post Fiasco
Because the rumor mill clearly had extra coffee, the NY Post recently declared Cheers icon George Wendt dead of pneumonia complications—news that no one else seems to have corroborated. In a move that has cynics rolling their eyes, the page cited unnamed “insider sources” claiming Wendt, 75, succumbed after a brief hospital stay, only for his publicist to fire off a terse tweet: “George is alive, having lunch as we speak.” Major outlets—People Magazine and Variety—scrambled to verify and came up empty. No funeral notices popped up on local Oklahoma bulletins, no SAG-AFTRA statement, and Wendt’s own social feeds are still filled with him celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a green beer, not a headstone.
Yes, pneumonia can be lethal, but seasoned celebs like Wendt usually inspire a mountain of credible tributes before you see an obituary. The Post’s exclusive scoop even slipped in a “family source” quote about “difficult days,” yet neglected to name names or provide verifiable medical records. Meanwhile, Wendt’s longtime manager told The Hollywood Reporter this was “100 percent false,” noting that George “laughed when he saw the headline” and is planning a new podcast this spring. Panic ensued among fans who flooded Twitter demanding proof, and #RIPGeorge trended briefly—until clips of him joking on Instagram set the record straight.
The bigger picture? Tabloid outlets thrive on clickbait drama—especially when it involves an affable everyman like Norm Peterson. The Post has issued a vague correction, but no formal apology, demonstrating that in today’s digital news cycle, “if it bleeds, it leads” often means “if it’s ludicrous, we’ll publish first, ask questions later.” Journalists note a rise in these premature obits—reporters tiptoe through social feeds searching for retractions rather than confirmations. For his part, Wendt’s camp says they’ll address any real health news on his official channels, so until we see a verified update, treat this like that “Laverne & Shirley” reboot you heard about but can’t find anywhere.
And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
