Which Cheers cast member got his early break playing Private LaRoche on M*A*S*H?
Ted Danson
George Wendt
John Ratzenberger
Woody Harrelson
Fact: Before becoming the beloved bar-stool regular Norm Peterson on Cheers, George Wendt made a memorable appearance on M*A*S*H. In the show’s Season 11 Halloween episode, he played Private LaRoche, a soldier who arrives at the 4077th with a billiard ball lodged in his mouth—an offbeat role that helped showcase his comedic timing. Just a few years later, Wendt would join the cast of Cheers and turn “Norm!” into one of the most iconic entrances in television history. His brief stop in Korea remains a fun piece of TV trivia linking two classic sitcoms.
Correct Answer: George Wendt