Search Our Site

Hollywood Mourns the Death of Norm Macdonald

By: Haley Bosselman By: Haley Bosselman | September 14, 2021 | Culture, Featured, Celebrity,

Norm MacDonald

When the sudden news broke that comedic actor Norm Macdonald had died, ripples erupted through the comedy world and Hollywood.

Macdonald was just 61. As first reported by Deadline, his death comes following a private nine-year fight against cancer. The news was confirmed by Brillstein Entertainment, his management firm, and his longtime producing partner Lori Jo Hoekstra.

“He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him,” Hoekstra told Deadline. “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.”

Born in Québec City, Québec in 1959, Macdonald fostered a rich career in comedy in which he became known for his deadpan delivery. He laid his standup roots in his native Canada before making his way to the U.S. to compete on Star Search. The comedian’s true big break came when he was scouted by Lorne Michaels while writing for ABC sitcom Roseanne. Macdonald left the gig for Saturday Night Live where he held a legendary stint as a “Weekend Update” anchor and delivered celebrated impressions of Burt Reynolds, Quentin Tarantino and Larry King, among others.

After Saturday Night Live, Macdonald went on to appear in numerous movies and TV shows, including Dirty Work, A Minute with Stand Hooper, My Name is Earl, The Middle, Mike Tyson Mysteries and his own series, Norm and Norm Macdonald Has a Show. In 2016, he published Based on a True Story, semi-fictional memoir that made the New York Times best sellers list.

The impact of his 30-plus years in the business was clear across social media. Early today, comedy legend Steve Martin called Macdonald, “One of a kind.”

Tributes poured out on Twitter. Seth Rogen admitted, “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.”

Others, like Questlove, reminisced over Macdonald’s talent. “Comedy nerds know that the one step beyond #TheAristcrats was the time Norm Macdonald decided to commit to doing a kitschy mediocre roast for Bob Saget. It was beyond trolling.”

Tweets from those closest to Macdonald revealed the gravity of his death. “My dear friend Norm MacDonald passed after a brave 10 year battle,” Jim Carey tweeted. “He was one of our most precious gems. An honest and courageous comedy genius. I love him.”

See more reactions below.


Tags: comedy saturday night live web-og haley-bosselman Norm MacDonald

Photography by: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

MLUX Watch Banner