Skip to content
Norm Macdonald

File:Norm_MacDonald_(26378045703)_(cropped).jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ1371229· pop 48· linked from 423 articles

Norm Macdonald

Sign in to save

Also known as Norman Gene Macdonald

Canadian comedian (1959–2021)

Person · Open Library

Works
1

Top works

  • Customers R Anarthrous

via Open Library + Wikidata

Music · MusicBrainz

Type
Person
Gender
Male
Origin
Canada
Active from
1959-10-17
Active to
2021-09-14
absurdist comedyblack comedyobservational comedysatire

via MusicBrainz · CC0

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners
40,470
Total plays
393,290

Tags

comedystand-upstand-up comedyCanadianDead

A muttering, slovenly, and acerbic standup comedian, actor, and writer known for his high-profile firing from Saturday Night Live, Norm Macdonald is a love-him-or-hate-him character. Born in Quebec City, Quebec, Macdonald started out performing in comedy clubs across Canada before he decided to pack his bags and move to Los Angeles. His wry style landed him gigs writing for the popular sitcom Roseanne along with The Dennis Miller Show, but a 1993 offer to write for SNL had him switching coasts a

via Last.fm · Norm MacDonald

Quotes

  • I would love to stay at SNL forever. But you can't stay in the same place. People think you're a loser.
  • My dad died, and my grandfather died, and my great-grandfather died. And the guy before him, I don't know. Probably died. … I come from a long line of death. That's my point. And so I fear it. I fear it a lot.
  • Every generation has believed they lived ins the End Time, @NellScovell. It is a product of Man's narcissism. Deeply, we believe that when we die, so then does the world. Which is true. Because when we die, we don't disappear, the world does.
  • The only thing an old man can tell a young man is that it goes fast, real fast, and if you're not careful, it's too late. Of course, the young man will never understand this truth.
  • You know, with Hitler, the more I learn about that guy the more I don't care for him.

via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA

Key facts

Born
Norman Gene Macdonald , ( 1959-10-17 ) October 17, 1959, Quebec City , Quebec, Canada
Died
September 14, 2021 (2021-09-14) (aged 61), Duarte, California , U.S.
Spouse
Connie Vaillancourt ​ ​ ( married</span>"}]]}'>m. 1988 ; divorced</span>"}]]}'>div. 1999 ) ​
Relatives
Neil Macdonald (older brother) Leslie Macdonald (younger brother) Joyce Napier (sister-in-law)
Years active
1985–2021
Medium
Stand-up Television Film Literature
Genres
Observational comedy deadpan non-sequitur black comedy insult comedy shaggy dog story political satire

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image
Norm MacDonald (26378045703) (cropped).jpg
Show 9 more facts
Commons category
Norm Macdonald
social media followers
290000
date of birth
1959-10-17
start of work period
1987-00-00
date of death
2021-09-14
name in native language
Norm Macdonald
end of work period
2021-00-00
birth name
Norman Gene Macdonald
nickname
Norm Macdonald
Sources (8)

via Wikidata · CC0

~29 min read

Article

Norman Gene Macdonald (October 17, 1959 – September 14, 2021) was a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer whose style was characterized by deadpan delivery, eccentric understatement, and the use of folksy, old-fashioned turns of phrase. He appeared in numerous films and was a frequent guest on late-night talk shows, where he developed a reputation for his chaotic yet understated comedic style. His appearances on Conan O'Brien's and David Letterman's programs were especially well-received, with the latter describing him as "the best" stand-up comedian.

Earlier in his career, Macdonald's first work on television included writing for comedies such as Roseanne and The Dennis Miller Show. In 1993, Macdonald was hired as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL), spending a total of five seasons on the series, which included anchoring the show's Weekend Update segment for three and a half seasons. He was removed as host of SNL's Weekend Update in 1998, allegedly for relentlessly mocking O. J. Simpson during his murder trial, offending producer Don Ohlmeyer, who was a close friend of Simpson. After being fired from SNL, he wrote and starred in the 1998 film Dirty Work and headlined his own sitcom, The Norm Show, from 1999 to 2001. Macdonald was also a voice actor, and provided voice acting roles for Family Guy, The Fairly OddParents, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Orville, and the Dr. Dolittle films.

Gallery (2)

Connections

Categories