By Mark Gray
5:21am PDT, Sep 16, 2021
Norm Macdonald, one of the most beloved cast members of "Saturday Night Live" in the '90s, passed away on Sept. 14 after a secret battle with cancer. Deadline reported that Norm privately fought the disease for nine years. The comic, who thrilled fans with his dry wit and deadpan delivery, kept his health issues hidden from even those closest to him. "He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic," his longtime producing partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra said. "He once wrote that 'a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.' He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly." After his death, many of his fellow comedians and Hollywood stars publicly mourned his death on social media.
Click through to see how Hollywood is remembering the iconic funnyman…
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"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." —Adam Sandler
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"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. I was always delighted by his bizarre mind and earnest gaze. (I'm trying to avoid using the phrase, 'twinkle in his eyes'). He was a lifetime Cy Young winner in comedy. Gone, but impossible to forget." –David Letterman
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"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
"We loved Norm MacDonald. One of a kind." –Steve Martin
"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
"No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique. F- cancer." –Jon Stewart
"Norm was in a comedy genre of his own. No one like him on this planet. Please do yourself a favor and watch his stuff. He was one of a kind of all time" –Sarah Silverman
"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
"Today the world lost a very, very funny man. We miss him already. R.I.P Norm Macdonald." –Eugene Levy
"The world was a much funnier place because Norm Macdonald was in it. We've lost a comedic genius, and a great Canadian. Sending my condolences to his loved ones and countless fans mourning his passing." — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
"Norm didn't just make us laugh, he made us laugh hard. Rest well, you crazy b******." –Jimmy Kimmel
"Today, the world grieves the loss of a comedy legend. Norm was as brilliant as he was lovable. I'm crushed. My heart goes out to all who knew him. Thank you for the laughter, you beautiful Canadian you." –Michael Buble
"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'm gonna miss him." –Seth MacFarlane
"In such a divisive time even among comedians, we can all agree Norm MacDonald was the best. Rest In Peace." –Ken Jeong
"So sad about Norm McDonald. He was SO f'ing funny. One of the all time greats." –Drew Carey
"RIP Norm… Norm was always gracious with me. He made me laugh out loud and could say things that only he could get away with…he was awesome! #RIP #legend" –Rob Riggle
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"No one was better or funnier than Norm. Rest In Peace Sir" –Eric Stonestreet
"Good bye, Norm. You were never not 100% hilarious." –Patton Oswalt
"Oh my God. We lost a legend. Norm was punishingly funny. A unique special point of view and completely organic. RIPNormMacDonald" –Jim Gaffigan
"The thing about Norm, is sometimes his comedy was quite obtuse. But he never explained a joke. He delighted in the fact that sometimes only one or two people knew why it was funny. Sometimes while filming poker shows he would whisper a joke to me under his breath. He didn't seem to mind that his joke only had an audience of one. He just enjoyed making them. He didn't really need the entire table to laugh at his witticisms. .@PhilLaak and I loved him so much. During the pandemic Phil used to drive cherry pies across town and sort of throw them over the balcony, because Norm Macdonald was very fond of cherry pies. #RipNorm" –Jennifer Tilly
"Norm is the pinnacle of bravery and originality." –Whitney Cummings
"R.I.P. Norm Macdonald. I never got a chance to know him but he made me laugh so many times with his brilliant wit and delivery. Comedy lost a great one today." –Albert Brooks
"Norm, I didn't just like you. I loved you. You didn't just make me laugh. You made me cry with laughter. I'm still crying today. But when I think of you, my tears will run down my face with all the memories of all the laughter and all the joys that you brought to all of us. Rest" –Rob Schneider
"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" –Gilbert Gottfried
"Aww man…Norm Macdonald"–Elijah Wood
"Norm MacDonald was my OG Weekend Update anchor and a pantheon level late night guest. So funny, witty, irreverent and understated. The comedy world just lost a 1 of 1. RIP." –Stephen Amell
"Very saddened and shocked to hear of this Lovely funny funny funny man RIP" –Diedrich Bader
"Norm Macdonald was fearlessly funny" –Justin Long
"Norm Macdonald was in a complete league of his own. Every person in our industry knows this. I am devastated by his passing. His work inspired me and so many other Canadians growing up. Rest easy." — Giacomo Gianniotti
"Norm McDonald, what a brilliantly funny man. My sympathies to his family and loved ones. #RIPNormMacDonald" –Jason Alexander
"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." –Edgar Wright
"This awful news took my breath away. Sending love to his family and friends." –Nancy Sinatra
"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
"I love the science of comedy. Comedy nerds know that the one step beyond #TheAristcrats was the time Norm Macdonald decided to commit to doing a kitschy mediocre roast for Bob Saget. It was beyond trolling." –Questlove
"Norm MacDonald was a good guy and a superb comic innovator. We'll miss Norm." –Bill O'Reilly
"Words can't describe how saddened I am to hear of the passing of my friend. Rest In Peace @normmacdonald" — Tom Green
"RIP #NormMacdonald Wishing his loved ones peace and love." –Gina Carano
"Norm Macdonald was brilliant and I never missed a chance to catch him. So smart, quick and always sharply relevant. A sad day and a big loss to many. RIP." –Paul Stanley
"I will miss you forever!@normmacdonald" –Artie Lange
"Battling cancer for 9 years without telling anyone is the most Norm Macdonald [thing] ever." –Anthony Jeselnik
"Sad to hear about Norm Macdonald. Got to be on his talk show. Laughed a lot with him. He was very kind to me. #RIPNormMacdonald" –M. Night Shyamalan
"In an era where every comedian with a political bent is hailed as brave Norm MacDonald was the real deal. Always stayed ahead of the audience, never took a laugh that wasn't completely on his terms. His cynicism was just a byproduct of his idealism – he cherished great comedy. RS" –Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
"Norm @normmacdonald was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL." –Bob Dole
