Comedians are responding to Norm Macdonald's tragic passing with an outpouring of love
The world of stand-up comedy is not known to be kind. Competition usually wins over comradery. But when news of beloved "Weekend Update" anchor and comedian Norm Macdonald broke yesterday, that stereotype was turned on its head, as love poured out from fellow comedians across social media.
Today is a sad day. All of us here at SNL mourn the loss of Norm Macdonald, one of the most impactful comedic voices of his or any other generation.pic.twitter.com/KQYuuz5eM9— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@Saturday Night Live - SNL) 1631656608
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 (@David Letterman) 1631652250
Norm's success was prolific to say the least. In addition to his stand-up and SNL career, MacDonald appeared in numerous films, including Grown Ups, Dr. Dolittle, Jack and Jill, Billy Madison, Funny People, Screwed, and The Animal. He also appeared in various late-night talk shows including Late Night With Conan O'Brien and Late Night with David Letterman, and even had his own sitcom, The Norm Show, as well as a talk show for one season on Netflix back in 2018.
The Norm Show (Norm) - Season 1 Episode 1 (Norm and the Prototype)www.youtube.com
A true comedy genius, Norm could make even the most convoluted story funny, as seen in Norm's unforgettable "Moth Joke" with Conan O'Brien.
Norm MacDonald's Moth Jokewww.youtube.com
O'Brien was one of the first to react to the news of Norm's death, praising him as "the most unique comic voice I have ever encountered" and lamenting that "I will never laugh that hard again."
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 (@Conan O'Brien) 1631648335
Bob Saget, who Norm famously roasted, also sent a tweet sharing how he and Norm met, "he was in my audience at 17 years old," and went on to say " no other voice in comedy has been as unique, brazen, brazen, dark, hilarious, and heartfelt."
Devastated. Met Norm in Ottawa when he was in my audience at 17 years old. Been close for decades. We have lost a comedic genius. No other voice in comedy has been as uniquely prolific, brazen, dark, hilarious, and heartfelt. Love you forever, Norm.pic.twitter.com/V44nyouhQN— bob saget (@bob saget) 1631655381
Jim Carrey, who appeared on Norm's live show, gave heartfelt mourning, saying, "my dear friend Norm passed after a brave 10 year battle...He was one of our most precious gems...I love him."
My dear friend Norm MacDonald passed after a brave 10 year battle. He was one of our most precious gems. An honest and courageous comedy genius. I love him.— Jim Carrey (@Jim Carrey) 1631646463
But the tributes don't stop there. Comedy greats like Steve Martin, all the Seths (McFarland, Rogan, and Meyers), Adam Sandler, Patton Oswalt, Jon Stewart and even Bob Odenkirk-who had his own health scare earlier this year- all sent their praises flooding to Twitter.
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 (@Adam Sandler) 1631650542
\u201cHe was the gold standard.\u201d @SethMeyers reflects on the passing of comedy legend Norm Macdonald.pic.twitter.com/kvxi01VN7Z— Late Night with Seth Meyers (@Late Night with Seth Meyers) 1631667637
To so many people in comedy, me included, there was nobody funnier than Norm MacDonald. You always hoped he would hang around after the work was done, just so you could hear his stories and get a laugh. So hilarious and so generous with his personality. I\u2019m gonna miss him.— Seth MacFarlane (@Seth MacFarlane) 1631647928
Truly one of the funniest moments on TV. That was awesome, Norm ruledhttps://twitter.com/thebrianposehn/status/1437850553279660032\u00a0\u2026— Mr. Bob Odenkirk (@Mr. Bob Odenkirk) 1631647396
This not only goes to show how far reaching and impactful Norm was as a talent, but how just one person's individual spark can ignite the hearts and minds of many others.
NOOOOO GODDAMIT. Oh my God what is even happening.\n\nGood bye, Norm. You were never not 100% hilarious.https://twitter.com/deadline/status/1437843997985177600\u00a0\u2026— Patton Oswalt (@Patton Oswalt) 1631644592
No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique. Fuck cancer.— Jon Stewart (@Jon Stewart) 1631645135
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 (@Seth Rogen) 1631644634
Norm passed away after an undisclosed nine year battle with cancer. His longtime producing partner and friend, Lori Jo Hoekstra, who was with him when he died, says "He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him....He once wrote that 'a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.' He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly."
Though Norm might have struggled in private, the comedy world is publicly coming together to acknowledge the positive impact he made in an industry that can, at its worst, be a toxic environment. The collective reaction to Norm's passing proves that at its best, however, the stand-up community is a tight knight family of creatives who relish in each other's successes and share in each other's remorse. Even in a time of devastating loss, that is worth celebrating.
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