Comedy’s biggest names share memories, react to Macdonald’s death on social media

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/09/2021 (1525 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Norm Macdonald’s incisive wit and dry delivery endeared him to comedy fans and celebrities alike. Many of the industry’s biggest names shared their grief on Twitter as word spread of the Canadian comic’s death Tuesday.

Here’s what they had to say:

DAVID LETTERMAN:

“In every important way, in the world of standup, 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.”

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ADAM SANDLER:

“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.”

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SETH ROGEN:

“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 all time greats. RIP.

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CONAN O’BRIEN:

“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.”

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EUGENE LEVY:

“Today the world lost a very, very funny man. We miss him already. R.I.P Norm Macdonald.”

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JIM CARREY:

“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.”

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SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE:

“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.”

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JAY BARUCHEL:

“RIP Norm Macdonald. A sincere hero of mine and boundless source of inspiration since I was a teenager. He was also that rarest of beings: a truly original artist. The world’s loss is Canadian heaven’s gain. We will never see his like again.”

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BOB SAGET:

“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.”

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PATTON OSWALT:

“Oh my God what is even happening. Good bye, Norm. You were never not 100% hilarious.”

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STEVE MARTIN:

“We loved Norm Macdonald. One of a kind.”

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SETH MACFARLANE:

“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.”

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JON STEWART:

“No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique.”

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SARAH SILVERMAN:

“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.”

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GERRY DEE:

“What a tremendous loss for the comedy world. He was one of kind. RIP Norm.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2021.