Comedian Norm Macdonald dies at 61
September 14, 2021Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Norm Macdonald has died at the age of 61, his management firm Brillstein Entertainment announced to the Hollywood entertainment news website Deadline. It was later reported on by several US publications.
After a spell out of the limelight, the Canadian stand-up comedian returned to the screen in 2013 with his own video podcast entitled Norm Macdonald Live. Five years later this was turned into a Netflix show with a similar premise.
Cancer battle
Best known for his laconic delivery of sharp and incisive observations, Macdonald had been battling cancer for nine years.
His compatriot Jim Carrey was one of the first to pay tribute as he described his "dear friend" as "one of our most precious gems," on Twitter. "An honest and courageous comedy genius. I love him," he added.
Macdonald was born and raised in Quebec City by his mother, Ferne, and father, Percy Lloyd, who served with the Canadian Army during World War II.
Macdonald was a standup comic and briefly a writer for the sitcom "Roseanne" before he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1993.
He left SNL after a five-year stint and went on to create and star in "The Norm Show" for ABC. In the comedy series he played a former NHL player kicked out of the league for gambling and tax evasion.