Norm Macdonald, comedian and veteran of Saturday Night Live, has died aged 61.
Macdonald died today (September 14) after a nine-year private battle with cancer, as confirmed by his management firm Brillstein Entertainment to Deadline.
His longtime producing partner and friend, Lori Jo Hoekstra, who was with him when he died, said: “He was most proud of his comedy. He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him.
“Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that ‘a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.’ He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly.”
Macdonald was part of the SNL cast from 1993 to 1998, where he became known as the anchor of the show’s ‘Weekend Update’ segment for three seasons. Before landing a job at SNL, he was hired to write for Roseanne Barr’s sitcom Roseanne in 1992.
After leaving SNL, Macdonald starred in 1998 film Dirty Work and his own sitcom The Norm Show from 1999 to 2001. In 2018, he received his own talk show on Netflix titled Norm Macdonald Has A Show.
Seth Rogen paid tribute to the comedian on Twitter: “I was a huge fan of Norm Macdonald and I essentially ripped off his delivery when I first started acting.
“I would stay up specifically to watch him on talk shows. He was the funniest guest of all time. We lost a comedy giant today. One of the all time greats. RIP.”
Director Edgar Wright posted: “Of the many addictive holes you can disappear down on the internet, the most pleasurable is ‘Norm Macdonald chat show appearances’. Thanks for all the laughs Norm, very sorry to see you go.”
Actor Josh Gad described him as “one of the most underrated and hilarious SNL performers”.
You can check out more tributes below.
Of the many addictive rabbit holes you can disappear down on the internet, the most pleasurable is 'Norm MacDonald chat show appearances'. Thanks for all the laughs Norm, very sorry to see you go. https://t.co/ahxZNRdJEw
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 14, 2021
My dear friend Norm MacDonald passed after a brave 10 year battle. He was one of our most precious gems. An honest and courageous comedy genius. I love him.
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) September 14, 2021
Oh fuck. I was a huge fan of Norm Macdonald and I essentially ripped off his delivery when I first started acting. I would stay up specifically to watch him on talk shows. He was the funniest guest of all time. We lost a comedy giant today. One of the the all time greats. RIP.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 14, 2021
No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique. Fuck cancer.
— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) September 14, 2021
Oh come on! Damnit. Not Norm. Absolutely gutted. One of the most underrated and hilarious SNL performers. RIP #NormMacdonald https://t.co/bK5EALnpYz
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 14, 2021
We loved Norm MacDonald. One of a kind. https://t.co/0sXoCLEtuG
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) September 14, 2021
The post ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedian Norm Macdonald dies aged 61 after cancer battle appeared first on NME.
