Norm Macdonald, the Canadian comedian, actor,writer and “Saturday Night Live” star, has died after a battle with cancer. Hewas 61.
Norman Gene Macdonald (October 17, 1959–September 14, 2021) was a Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and actor knownfor his deadpan style.
Early in his career, he wrote for thesitcom Roseanne. Macdonald was then a cast member on Saturday NightLive (SNL) for five years, including anchoring the Weekend Update segmentfor three seasons, during which time he also made guest appearances on showssuch as The Drew Carey Show and News Radio. After leaving SNL, hestarred in the 1998 film Dirty Work and in his own sitcom, TheNorm Show, from 1999 to 2001.
MacDonald was born Norman Gene MacDonald inQuébec City, Québec on October 17, 1959. His parents, Ferne (née Mains) andPercy Lloyd Macdonald, were both teachers. They worked at CFBValcartier, a military base north of Quebec City. Macdonald's father diedin 1990 of heart disease.
Lori Jo Hoekstra, MacDonald's long-timeproducing partner, said in a statement, "He was most proud of his comedy.He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of hisloved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic."
"He once wrote that 'a joke should catchsomeone by surprise, it should never pander.' He certainly never pandered. Normwill be missed terribly."
According to Deadline, he was slated toappear in the New York Comedy Festival in November.
Many famous comedians, including Seth Rogen,Jon Stewart, Ron Funches and Jim Gaffigan, paid tribute to Macdonald. Macdonaldhad been battling cancer for nearly a decade but was determined to keep hishealth struggles private, away from family, friends and fans.