The death of actor and comedian Norm Macdonald has rocked Hollywood on Tuesday. Macdonald, who most famously worked the Weekend Update desk during his tenure on Saturday Night Live in the ’90s, succumbed to cancer after a very private, decade-long battle at the age of 61.
Macdonald’s death was announced to Deadline by his management firm Brillstein Entertainment. The comedian’s longtime producing partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra, who was with him at the time of his death this morning, said Macdonald had been battling cancer for nearly a decade but was determined to keep his health struggles private, away from family, friends, and fans.
Remembrances were shared by Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, Seth Rogen, Edgar Wright, Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, Josh Gad, Whitney Cummings, Patton Oswald, and more. Find the social media tributes below.
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I am absolutely devastated about Norm Macdonald. Norm had the most unique comedic voice I have ever encountered and he was so relentlessly and uncompromisingly funny. I will never laugh that hard again. I'm so sad for all of us today.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) September 14, 2021
In every important way, in the world of stand-up, Norm was the best. An opinion shared by me and all peers. Always up to something, never certain, until his matter-of-fact delivery leveled you.
— David Letterman (@Letterman) September 14, 2021
Oh fuck. I was a huge fan of Norm Macdonald and 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. One of the the all time greats. RIP.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/1437853036446199815
https://twitter.com/JimCarrey/status/1437855600851894273
Of the many addictive rabbit holes you can disappear down on the internet, the most pleasurable is 'Norm MacDonald chat show appearances'. Thanks for all the laughs Norm, very sorry to see you go. https://t.co/ahxZNRdJEw
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 14, 2021
Norm is the pinnacle of bravery and originality. 💔 https://t.co/UfeNoEUlUv
— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/1437853036446199815
No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique. Fuck cancer.
— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) September 14, 2021
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0LV9TBI0S/
Oh come on! Damnit. Not Norm. Absolutely gutted. One of the most underrated and hilarious SNL performers. RIP #NormMacdonald https://t.co/bK5EALnpYz
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 14, 2021
Such a loss https://t.co/2xN4nwfuKx
— Fortune Feimster (@FortuneFeimster) September 14, 2021
I’ve got so many laughs in my life by just repeating Norm MacDonald jokes. One of the funniest to ever do it – RIP to a king
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) September 14, 2021
Norm Macdonald was an irreplaceable voice in comedy. His commitment to jokes and unique perspective will inspire generations. pic.twitter.com/J1gEUd2HDr
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) September 14, 2021
We know how funny he was, and what a nice guy he was. Now we understand how brave he was. #RIPNorm
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) September 14, 2021
This photo was taken after I was a guest on Norm's show. At dinner the laughs just continued nonstop. He will be missed. RIP Norm Macdonald pic.twitter.com/DToJCUBdU2
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) September 14, 2021
What terrible news. Such a great comedian. His Letterman and Conan appearances alone are some of the funniest things to have ever been on TV. So very sad and shocked to hear this. Condolences to his family and friends. https://t.co/CmtYM1BAll
— Simon Blackwell (@simonblackwell) September 14, 2021
Oh wow. Fuck. https://t.co/CpGckK1QBu
— David Friedman (@ironicsans) September 14, 2021
Noooooooooooooooooooooo https://t.co/WG1C86MRJS
— Lisa Horne (@LisaHorne) September 14, 2021
Oh boo. He was so damn funny. https://t.co/gKZxCLM1hZ
— laurabrounstein (@laurabrounstein) September 14, 2021
Shit! https://t.co/FYdFUEt6zL
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/jordanzakarin/status/1437844754742628356?s=20
https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/1437845078219837446?s=20
Damnit. This is a heart breaking one. Another incredibly fearless, unique, comedy voice. I was a big fan. https://t.co/QoKjNHJ9p2
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) September 14, 2021
Norm was one of the funniest ever. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/jcQNGQ8Dal
— Dan Perlman (@danjperlman) September 14, 2021
oh my fucking god. RIP a legend. https://t.co/r8cLi23lWc
— hotpot dasani (@raesanni) September 14, 2021
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/AaH9G9zwP1
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) September 14, 2021
Gutted.
One of the great comedic geniuses, free thinkers, all around true originals of all time. Ben and I were lucky enough to see him perform in Vegas and it was incredible.
Beyond tragic. Condolences to his friends, family and loved ones. https://t.co/ewtpPsAQO9
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 14, 2021
Every one of us loved Norm. Some of the hardest laughs of my life with this man. Most fearless funny original guy we knew. An incredible dad. A great friend. A legend. Love u pal. pic.twitter.com/2Pftw28uPc
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) September 14, 2021