Ted Danson is mourning the death of his longtime friend and former “Cheers” co-star George Wendt. For 11 seasons and more than 250 episodes, Wendt entertained fans of the NBC sitcom as the beer-loving Norm. While Norm sat at the same stool, Danson's Sam Malone poured him a cold one from just behind the bar.

"For eleven years on 'Cheers,' we shared a stage, a lot of laughs and a front-row seat to one of television’s most beloved friendships," Ratzenberger said.

Per Wendt’s family, the actor passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning. Hours later, Variety received statements from Danson, John Ratzenberger and Rhea Perlman about their late co-star. Danson, who played Sam Malone, owner of the Cheers bar and its main bartender, had this to say about Wendt: