
One of the most respected stand-up comedians of his generation, the standup comedian, writer, and actor Norm MacDonald, died last week. He was raised in Quebec City and began in stand-up comedy before moving into writing for programs like Roseanne.
He joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a cast member in 1993, where he appeared frequently as anchor for the “Weekend Update” segment. His unique style, deadpan delivery, and caustic sense of humor distinguished him as a performer.
McDonald’s career spanned decades and included stand-up, television, movies, and even podcasts. What the world knew him for was his absurdist humor and ability to make people laugh, which he did with punch lines one didn’t expect, and timing the world never taught him.
Table of Contents of Norm McDonald

Biography of Norm McDonald
Table of Glimpse
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Norman Gene Macdonald |
Date of Birth | October 17, 1959 |
Place of Birth | Quebec City, Canada |
Date of Death | September 14, 2021 |
Place of Death | Los Angeles, California, USA |
Net Worth | $2.5 million |
Famous For | SNL, Stand-Up Comedy, “Weekend Update” |
Notable Movies | Dirty Work, Billy Madison, Dr. Dolittle |
TV Shows | SNL, The Norm Show, Norm Macdonald Live |
Wife | Connie Vaillancourt (1988-1999) |
Child | Dylan Macdonald |
Legacy | Unique comedic style, iconic humor |

Net Worth of Norm McDonald
At the time of his death, Norm Macdonald’s net worth was estimated at $2.5 million. His wealth was mostly accumulated from his time on Saturday Night Live, his stand-up tours, and his television shows and movie roles. He also penned a memoir, Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir, that was well reviewed.
Movies of Norm McDonald
Norm Macdonald had roles in any number of movies, often showing off his comedic chops. Here is a table with a few of his infamous films:

Below is a table of some of his notable movies:
Movie | Year | Role |
Dirty Work | 1998 | Mitch Weaver |
Billy Madison | 1995 | Frank |
Dr. Dolittle | 1998 | Lucky (voice) |
Man on the Moon | 1999 | Michael Richards (cameo) |
Grown Ups | 2010 | Geezer |
Family Guy
Rouge: One of Norm Macdonalds best roles: guest stints on Fox’s Family Guy He voiced the character Death in the episode “Death Is a Bitch” (1999). Macdonald’s delivery and comedic timing made the character an icon, and while Adam Carolla would go on to take over the role, Macdonald’s version won the hearts of most fans.

Live Performances
Norm Macdonald was a prolific stand-up comic who toured the country widely during his career. His live performances were distinguished by the way he wove absurdity and subtle social commentary into his jokes.
One of his best-regarded specials, Me Doing Stand-Up (2011), is viewed as a masterclass in comedy. A hallmark of McDonald’s style was the way he would draw out long, meandering setups that would end in punch lines that caught you off guard.
TV Shows
- Norm Macdonald enjoyed a lengthy career on television that spanned acting, hosting, and voice work. Highlights of his shows include:
- Saturday Night Live (SNL) (1993-1998): Appeared as host for the “Weekend Update.”.
- The Norm Show (1999-2001): A sitcom in which he played a former hockey player turned social worker.
- Norm Macdonald Live (2013-2017): An unvarnished interview web series and podcast featuring comics and stars.
- Roseanne (1992): Writer-and occasional actor.
- My Name is Earl: “Little Chubby” (2007)

Wife
Norm Macdonald was married to Connie Vaillancourt from 1988 to 1999. The couple had one son, Dylan McDonald. After their divorce, too, Norm was a private man in matters of the heart, not speaking much of them to the press.
Young
Norm Macdonald carved an early niche in humor and creativity. He was raised in Quebec City and began doing stand-up in comedy clubs when he was young, and he honed his own style over the years. His comedic idols included Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bob Newhart.
Died
Norm Macdonald died on Sept. 14, 2021, after privately battling cancer for nine years. His death jolted fans and colleagues because he had chosen to keep his diagnosis private. Tributes from across the entertainment world praised his comedic genius and unique voice.

FAQs:
What was Norm Macdonald best known for?
Norm Macdonald is an actor and comedian best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, especially when he hosted “Weekend Update,” as well as his stand-up comedy specials.
What were some of Norm Macdonald’s most famous movies?
Most well-known among his films are Dirty Work (1998), Billy Madison (1995) and Dr. Dolittle (1998), in which he voiced Lucky the Dog.