Norm Macdonald

Biography

Norman Gene Macdonald (October 17, 1959 – September 14, 2021) was a celebrated Canadian comedian, writer, and actor recognized for his signature deadpan delivery. His career took off as a writer for the hit sitcom Roseanne, and he made notable guest appearances on series like The Drew Carey Show and NewsRadio. Macdonald gained widespread fame during his five-year tenure on Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he famously hosted the Weekend Update segment for three seasons.

Following his SNL departure, he appeared in the 1998 comedy film Dirty Work and headlined his own sitcom, The Norm Show, from 1999 until 2001. In 2013, he launched Norm Macdonald Live, a video podcast featuring interviews with fellow comedians and celebrities. In 2018, he premiered Norm Macdonald Has a Show on Netflix. A versatile performer, he also lent his voice to the animated series Mike Tyson Mysteries, and Paste magazine ranked him #31 on their list of the 50 Best Stand-up Comics of All Time.