Who was Norm MacDonald? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Canadian Celebrities Born In October

Also Known As: Norman Gene Macdonald

Died At Age: 57

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Connie Macdonald

father: Percy Macdonald

mother: Ferns Macdonald (née Mains)

siblings: Leslie Macdonald, Neil MacDonald

children: Dylan Macdonald

Born Country: Canada

Stand-up Comedians Canadian Men

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

Died on: September 14, 2021

place of death: Pasadena, California, United States

Cause of Death: Leukemia

City: Quebec City, Canada

More Facts

education: Carleton University

Recommended For You

1

What are some popular movies and TV shows featuring Norm MacDonald?

Some popular movies and TV shows featuring Norm MacDonald include "Dirty Work," "Billy Madison," "The Norm Show," and his appearances on "Saturday Night Live."
2

Can you explain Norm MacDonald's comedy style?

Norm MacDonald's comedy style was known for its deadpan delivery, sharp wit, and use of irony and sarcasm. He often told jokes with a dry sense of humor and unexpected punchlines.
3

Did Norm MacDonald have any unique catchphrases or recurring characters on

Yes, Norm MacDonald was known for his portrayal of Burt Reynolds on "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketches. He also had a recurring segment on Weekend Update where he delivered jokes with his signature deadpan delivery.
4

What was Norm MacDonald's approach to handling controversial topics in his comedy?

Norm MacDonald was known for his fearless approach to comedy and often tackled controversial topics with his unique perspective and sharp humor. He believed in pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms through his comedy.
5

How did Norm MacDonald influence the comedy industry?

Norm MacDonald's impact on the comedy industry is significant, as he was known for his distinct comedic style, wit, and originality. He inspired many comedians with his fearless approach to comedy and unique voice in the entertainment world.

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Childhood & Early Life

MacDonald was raised in Ottawa, Canada. His father served with the Canadian Army during World War II. He had two brothers.

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Canadian Film & Theater Personalities

Career

He entered the world of comedy by performing stand-up acts at Ottawa clubs and then he started performing across Canada. In 1987 he got a chance to perform at Just For Laughs Comedy Festival.

Realizing that he needed to be on a bigger platform to further his career, he went to Los Angeles in order to try his luck. There he found work as a writer for the sitcom ‘Roseanne’.

In 1993, he joined NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) television program as a writer and a cast member. There he performed impersonations of different celebrities like Larry King, David Letterman, and Burt Reynolds which left the audience rolling on the floor.

He was made the anchor of the segment ‘Weekend Update’, a fake news section of the SNL after the departure of the previous host Kevin Nealon. As an anchor he often made references to topics like prison rapes, crack whores, etc. He often made scathing remarks about celebrities like Michael Jackson and Marion Barry.

He was fired from SNL in late 1997 as the anchor of the ‘Weekend Update’, ostensibly the reason being that MacDonald was “not funny”. However, it is widely believed that some tensions had been brewing between him and the management that resulted in him being fired.

He made the last of his appearances on SNL in 1998. He appeared as the host of a fictitious TV show called ‘Who’s More Grizzled?’ and asked questions to the host and the guest played by Garth Brooks and Robert Duvall, respectively.

After being kicked out of SNL, he starred in the comedy buddy film ‘Dirty Work’, in 1998. The plot revolved around a group of friends who start a revenge-for-hire business. The film became a cult classic in spite of getting negative reviews.

In 1998, he voiced the character of Lucky the dog in the remake of ‘Dr.Dolittle’ starring Eddie Murphy. He reprised the role in the sequels ‘Dr.Dolittle 2’ (2001) and ‘Dr.Dolittle 3’ (2006).

He played Norm Henderson on the television sitcom ‘The Norm Show’ that ran from 1999 through 2001 on ABC network. The show focused on the life of a former NHL hockey player who faces a life ban because of gambling and tax evasion.

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He appeared on the Celebrity Edition of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ in November 2000 and won $500,000 fro Paul Newman’s Charity Camp.

In 2003, he appeared as Stan Hooper in the sitcom ‘A Minute with Stan Hooper’ in which he played the ‘straight man’ among a cast of eccentric characters. The show, however, was not a success and had to be cancelled after one season.

He voiced Norm the Genie in ‘The Fairly Odd Parents’ (2004-05), Join Twosomes Penguin in ‘Farce of the Penguins’ in 2006 and ‘Buster the Fox’ in ‘Christmas is Here Again’ in 2007.

He was a frequent guest on ‘The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien’ during 2009 and 2010. He made appearances on the show during its initial as well as final episodes. His performances became the highlight of the show.

He appeared in four episodes of the sitcom The Middle as Rusty Heck.

Major Works

He is best known for being a cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live’ for five years and for anchoring the ‘Weekend Update’. During his time with SNL he became both popular and notorious for his sarcastic and mocking comments on celebrities and political issues.

Personal Life, Legacy & Death

He married Connie in 1988, and they had a son named Dylan. The couple parted ways in 1999.

Death

Norm MacDonald died on 14 September 2021, from acute leukemia at the age of 61 at a hospital in Pasadena, California.

Facts About Norm MacDonald

Norm MacDonald was known for his unique style of comedy that often included long, meandering jokes with unexpected punchlines.

He was a talented writer and contributed to various television shows and movies, showcasing his wit and humor behind the scenes.

Norm was a devoted fan of sports, particularly golf, and often incorporated his love for sports into his comedy routines.

He had a reputation for being a kind and generous person, often going out of his way to help his fellow comedians and friends.

Norm MacDonald was a skilled impressionist, known for his spot-on impressions of celebrities such as Burt Reynolds and Bob Dole.

Norm MacDonald Biography

You wanted to know

What are some popular movies and TV shows featuring Norm MacDonald?

Can you explain Norm MacDonald's comedy style?

Did Norm MacDonald have any unique catchphrases or recurring characters on

What was Norm MacDonald's approach to handling controversial topics in his comedy?

How did Norm MacDonald influence the comedy industry?

Death