George Wendt originally auditioned for the minor pilot role of George.
The original script for Cheers’ 1982 pilot, “Give Me a Ring Sometime,” did not include Norm Peterson or Cliff Clavin. Wendt and John Ratzenberger both auditioned for a small character named George, who was intended to appear for only one episode.
Wendt was hired for the role. George had just one line—ordering “Beer!”—but the casting helped lead to the creation of Norm Peterson. The character was subsequently reshaped, and Wendt became one of the show’s defining regulars.
Ratzenberger suggested that the producers add a know-it-all character, which led to Cliff Clavin. He won that part, originally conceived as a security guard before being changed into a postman shortly before filming. Thus, George is the obscure pilot role, while Norm and Cliff are the characters viewers ultimately remember.