Norm Macdonald
About Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald (October 17, 1959 - September 14, 2021), born Norman Gene Macdonald, 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 Letterman describing him as "the best" stand-up comedian.
Earlier in his career, Macdonald's first television work included writing for comedies such as Roseanne and The Dennis Miller Show. In 1993, he was hired as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live, spending 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 Weekend Update in 1998, allegedly for relentlessly mocking O. J. Simpson during his murder trial. After leaving SNL, he wrote and starred in the 1998 film Dirty Work and headlined his own sitcom, The Norm Show, from 1999 to 2001. He also provided voice acting for Family Guy, The Fairly OddParents, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Orville, and the Dr. Dolittle films.
Macdonald was born in Quebec City, Quebec, to Ferne and Percy Lloyd Macdonald, both Anglophone teachers. He attended Quebec High School and then Gloucester High School in Ottawa, graduating at the age of 14, before enrolling at Carleton University to study mathematics and philosophy. His first performances were at stand-up clubs in Ottawa, regularly appearing on amateur nights at Yuk Yuk's in 1985, and six months later he performed at the 1986 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Between 2013 and 2018, he hosted the talk shows Norm Macdonald Live and Norm Macdonald Has a Show, and in 2016 he authored the novel Based on a True Story. He died of leukemia in September 2021, a condition he had not publicly disclosed.
Videos (9)
Videos 1 to 9 of 9.
5:34Norm Macdonald does standup about coronavirus
4.3M views
3:43Norm Macdonald does standup about coronavirus pt. 2
1.4M views
6:29Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Adam Eget)
672.3K views
9:10Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Chevy Chase)
668.9K views
14:51Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Roseanne)
631.3K views
7:56Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Bob Saget)
571.8K views
2:02Norm Macdonald's Bat Song
299.3K views
6:19Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Josh Gardner)
203.3K views
Norm Macdonald
0 viewsGuest appearances (78)
Videos on other comedians' channels featuring Norm Macdonald.
Guest appearances 49 to 72 of 78.
26:39Starting Up The Old Tractor - Remembering Norm Macdonald
Tom Green
65.7K views
1:43Norm Macdonald Explains What a 'Cisgender' Is to Confused Guest | DM CLIPS | Rubin Report
Dave Rubin
59.1K views
2:50Chris D'Elia Reflects on the Passing of Norm Macdonald
Chris D'Elia
58.8K views
12:50Tom Green on Norm Macdonald, SNL, Letterman
Neal Brennan
52.5K views
2:49Marc Maron talks to Norm Macdonald about his gambling problem
Marc Maron
47.2K views
1:43:05Anthony Jeselnik Reacts to Passing of Norm Macdonald LIVE | Howie Mandel Does Stuff
Howie Mandel
44.3K views
1:16SNL Fired Me and Norm Macdonald
Kevin Nealon
30.7K views
8:32Mark Normand & Norm Macdonald - Fan-Made Compilation
Mark Normand
28.7K views
2:18Norm MacDonald & Geechy Guy have a JOKE CONTEST
Geechy Guy
18.4K views
1:43:38Judd Apatow Takes Adam Behind the Scenes of the Norm Macdonald Documentary
Adam Carolla
18.3K views
0:39RIP Norm Macdonald
Sammy Obeid
15.9K views
0:57Blake Griffin Talks Norm Macdonald's Question | We Might Be Drunk w/ Normand & Morril
Mark Normand
12.8K views
11:52Norm MacDonald Always Trolled Adam Sandler & Nick Swardson | We Might Be Drunk
Mark Normand
11.2K views
3:33Norm Macdonald vs Geechy Guy, King Of The One-Liners: Joke Battle!
Geechy Guy
9.6K views
12:11Judged by Norm Macdonald on The Last Comic Standing | The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi | Excerpt
Gianmarco Vincent Soresi
7K views
4:42Mark Normand on Norm MacDonald - America's Thoughts Podcast
Mark Normand
6.5K views
20:43Norm Macdonald, the double standard of comedy and the language of funny
Dave Smith
6K views
57:04I Fell Into a Deep Norm Macdonald Spiral | Open Tabs # 9
Bert Kreischer
5.9K views
2:25I had to study Norm MacDonald in order to make these jokes about this kindergarten teacher I'm Oslo
Victor Pătrășcan
4.4K views
1:47Tom & Norm MacDonald up on the roof
Tom Green
4.3K views
0:49Is Norm Macdonald Happy Gay?
Perry Caravello
3.4K views
0:59Norm MacDonald & Geechy Guy have a joke contest Full video on my Youtube!
Geechy Guy
3.2K views
1:12:11World Record Podcast Episode 95: RIP Norm MacDonald Plus Much More!!!
Brendon Walsh
2.5K views
11:49Another Great Norm Macdonald Story! (Norm Gets Dirty In Iowa)
Joe Kilgallon
2.4K viewsChannels on this page: Tom Green, Dave Rubin, Chris D'Elia, Neal Brennan, Marc Maron, Howie Mandel, Kevin Nealon, Mark Normand, Geechy Guy, Adam Carolla, Sammy Obeid, Gianmarco Vincent Soresi, Dave Smith, Bert Kreischer, Victor Pătrășcan, Perry Caravello, Brendon Walsh, Joe Kilgallon
Frequently asked questions
What was Norm Macdonald known for?
He was a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor and writer known for his deadpan delivery, eccentric understatement, and folksy, old-fashioned turns of phrase, especially on late-night talk shows.
What was Norm Macdonald's role on Saturday Night Live?
He joined SNL in 1993 as a writer and cast member, spending five seasons on the show and anchoring the Weekend Update segment for three and a half seasons before being removed as host in 1998.
What films and shows did Norm Macdonald star in?
He wrote and starred in the 1998 film Dirty Work and headlined his own sitcom, The Norm Show, from 1999 to 2001.
Where was Norm Macdonald born?
He was born on October 17, 1959, in Quebec City, Quebec, to Anglophone teachers Ferne and Percy Lloyd Macdonald.
How did Norm Macdonald die?
He died of leukemia on September 14, 2021, a condition he had not publicly disclosed.
Comedians similar to Norm Macdonald
Same comedic style, across countries
