George Wendt recovering after heart surgery

"Cheers" star George Wendt has undergone coronary bypass surgery, his manager told the Chicago Tribune.

Wendt's manager, Geoff Cheddy, told the newspaper that tests had revealed that an artery leading to the actor's heart was severely constricted.

Wendt was hospitalized with chest pains on Sunday in Chicago, where he was to perform as Oscar Madison in a local production of "The Odd Couple."

Northlight Theatre's executive director said the 64-year-old actor, famous for playing Norm Peterson on the long-running sitcom, was receiving medical attention and "will eventually make a full recovery."

Wendt was to perform in the play from Nov. 2 through Dec. 9, in the Chicago suburb of Skokie, Ill. He will be replaced by actor Marc Grapey, who previously performed in "The Odd Couple" on Broadway with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.

A Chicago native who worked his way up through the Second City comedy troupe in that city, Wendt was one of only three characters (Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman are the others) to appear in all the "Cheers" episodes. He is married and the father of three.