Influential comedian and beloved Saturday Night Live cast member Norm Macdonald died Tuesday at the age of 61.
“He was most proud of his comedy,” said Lori Jo Hoekstra, a friend and longtime producing partner of Macdonald. “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.”
Hoekstra was reportedly with him at the time of his death on Tuesday morning. Macdonald had been battling cancer for nearly 10 years but was determined to keep his health strong and his struggles private, according to Deadline.
ROSEANNE BARR TEASES FILING LAWSUIT AFTER ABC FIRED HER OVER VALERIE JARRETT TWEET
Macdonald got his start in entertainment in 1992, working as a writer on Roseanne and touring comedy clubs in Canada.
The actor and comedian was a member of the SNL cast from 1993 to 1998 and was known for his memorable impressions of figures including David Letterman, Burt Reynolds, Larry King, and Quentin Tarantino during his time on the NBC show. Macdonald also portrayed Bob Dole during the 1996 presidential campaign.
Dole tweeted a brief statement and photo of him and Macdonald on Tuesday, saying, “Norm was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL. *Bob Dole* will miss Norm Macdonald.”
“Norm @normmacdonald was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL. *Bob Dole* will miss Norm Macdonald.” pic.twitter.com/gPsdyJ5tS9
— Senator Bob Dole (@SenatorDole) September 14, 2021
Macdonald was also in films such as Billy Madison and starred in the film Dirty Work, based on the Roald Dahl short story and directed by Bob Saget.
Saget also tweeted a photo with him and Macdonald, saying he was “devastated” by his death.
“Met Norm in Ottawa when he was in my audience at 17 years old. Been close for decades. We have lost a comedic genius,” he wrote. “No other voice in comedy has been as uniquely prolific, brazen, dark, hilarious, and heartfelt. Love you forever, Norm.”
Devastated. Met Norm in Ottawa when he was in my audience at 17 years old. Been close for decades. We have lost a comedic genius. No other voice in comedy has been as uniquely prolific, brazen, dark, hilarious, and heartfelt. Love you forever, Norm. pic.twitter.com/V44nyouhQN
— bob saget (@bobsaget) September 14, 2021
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Macdonald is survived by his son, Dylan; his mother, Ferne; and brothers Neil and Leslie.
