Norm MacDonald, a beloved comedic institution, SNL veteran, and fan-favorite Weekend Update anchor, has passed away at age 61. Deadline broke the news of MacDonald’s nearly decade-long battle with cancer, which he chose to keep private. According to Deadline’s Greg Evans, MacDonald’s management relayed the sad news along with a statement from his longtime producing partner, Lori Jo Hoekstra, who revealed that Norm had been fighting cancer for nine years. She added that Norm had been adamant upon maintaining privacy throughout his health struggles.
In a statement, Hoekstra explained the root of MacDonald’s privacy wish:
“He was most proud of his comedy. 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.”
Although most will instantly conjure up memories of MacDonald from his SNL tenure (including his 3-year run as a sardonic Weekend Update anchor who pulled no punches with his deadpan delivery) his standup comedy will remain legendary. In March 2020, in fact, he fired off a truly great set on Coronavirus, one that never could have plausibly emerged from any comedian who didn’t possess such deft, ninja-like skills on the microphone.
Norm was slated to perform during November’s New York Comedy Festival.
(Via Deadline)