George Wendt leaves Chicago-area cast of ‘The Odd Couple’ after chest pains

SKOKIE, Ill. – Chest pains will keep actor George Wendt from performing as Oscar Madison in a Chicago-area production of “The Odd Couple.”

Northlight Theatre announced Tuesday that the actor famous for playing Norm Peterson on the TV show “Cheers” checked into a hospital Sunday and is receiving medical attention. Northlight Theatre executive director Timothy Evans says Wendt “will eventually make a full recovery.”

The 64-year-old Wendt was to perform in the show from Nov. 2 through Dec. 9 in the Chicago suburb of Skokie. He will be replaced by actor Marc Grapey, who previously performed in “The Odd Couple” on Broadway with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.