Comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Norm Macdonald died on Tuesday at the age of 61 following a long-time battle with cancer.
“He was most proud of his comedy,” partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra said, according to Deadline.
“He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that ‘a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.’ He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly,” she added.
BREAKING: Norm MacDonald has died “after a long and private battle with cancer”
The influential comedian and former ‘SNL’ Weekend Update anchor was 61 https://t.co/wSbwGQ8Syp
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) September 14, 2021
Former Sen. Bob Dole tweeted a picture of Macdonald portraying him in a past comedy routine with thoughts on the comedian’s life.
“Norm @normmacdonald was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL. *Bob Dole* will miss Norm Macdonald,” Dole tweeted.
“Norm @normmacdonald was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL. *Bob Dole* will miss Norm Macdonald.” pic.twitter.com/gPsdyJ5tS9
— Senator Bob Dole (@SenatorDole) September 14, 2021
The beloved SNL member and actor will be missed by many who knew him as a great source of laughter and joy over many years, especially those watching his Saturday night skits in the 1990s.
