‘Comedy genius’ was popular parody news host on ‘SNL’
NEW YORK — Comedian Norm Macdonald, a former Saturday Night
Live writer and performer who was “Weekend Update” host when Bill Clinton and O.J. Simpson provided comic fodder during the 1990s, has died.
Macdonald, who was 61, died Tuesday after having cancer for nine years, but he kept his cancer battle private, according to Brillstein Entertainment Partners, his management firm.
He never reached the same television heights after being fired from
SNL in 1998 but was an indefatigable stand-up comic and popular talk show guest whose death provoked an outpouring from fellow comedians.
“Norm was in a comedy genre of his own,” tweeted Sarah Silverman. “No one like him on this planet.”
Macdonald, the son of two schoolteachers, was raised in Quebec City, Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences, calling him “a comedic genius and a great Canadian.”
Macdonald was a stand-up comic and briefly a writer for the sitcom
Roseanne when he was picked to join the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1993.
He became known for his esoteric impressions, including Burt Reynolds, who gave Will Ferrell’s Alex Trebek character grief on “Celebrity Jeopardy.” He also impersonated Bob Dole, Larry King and David Letterman.
His deadpan style and skills as a writer made him the choice to host
Weekend Update. Simpson was a favorite target. Macdonald opened the fake newscast the week of the former football star’s acquittal on murder charges by saying, “Well, it’s finally official. Murder is legal in the state of California.”
Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels, speaking for the show, called Macdonald “one of the most impactful comedic voices of his or any other generation.”