Quick Info
| Profession | Stand-up comedian, writer and actor |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Date of Birth | 17/10/1959 |
| Age | 61 years (died on 14, Sep, 2021) |
| Birthplace | Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Date of Death | 14/09/2021 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
Latest News about Norm Macdonald
22/09/2026
Netflix released the trailer for a documentary titled Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald, directed by Judd Apatow. The film is assembled from archival footage, personal photographs and home videos, and traces his rise from Weekend Update anchor to his lasting reputation as a comedian's comedian. It premieres on Netflix on 16/10/2026.
Do you like Norm Macdonald?
You can vote only once.
76% like · 24% dislike
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Norman Gene Macdonald |
|---|---|
| Summary | Canadian comedian known for a deadpan style, eccentric understatement and old-fashioned phrasing. He became widely known as a Saturday Night Live cast member and Weekend Update anchor, and later starred in sitcoms and films. |
Educational Qualification(s)
| High School | Finished early |
|---|---|
| University | Studied mathematics and philosophy at Carleton University without earning a degree |
Personal Life
| Marital Status | Separated from Connie Vaillancourt; the marriage ended in divorce in 1999 |
|---|---|
| Notes | Began performing stand-up in Ottawa clubs in the mid-1980s after his family relocated there |
Relationships & More
| Frequent Collaborators | Frequent guest and favourite of Conan O'Brien |
|---|---|
| Admirers | David Letterman praised him highly on Late Night |
Family
| Father | Percy Lloyd Macdonald, a teacher |
|---|---|
| Mother | Ferne Mains Macdonald, a teacher |
| Spouse | Connie Vaillancourt (married 1988; divorced 1999) |
| Children | Dylan Macdonald (born 1993) |
| Siblings |
|
Career
| Stand-up Debut | Amateur nights at Yuk Yuk's in Ottawa, 1985 |
|---|---|
| Breakthrough | Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Montreal, 1987 |
| Writing | Wrote for the sitcom Roseanne, 1992-1993 |
| Saturday Night Live | Cast member 1993-1998 (five seasons), anchored Weekend Update |
| Television | Created and starred in The Norm Show (1999-2001); A Minute with Stan Hooper (2003) |
| Film | Billy Madison (1995), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Dirty Work (1998, co-written), Man on the Moon (1999), Dr. Dolittle (1998) |
| Podcast | Hosted Norm Macdonald Live (2013-2018) |
| Other | Voiced Yaphit on The Orville |
Style Quotient
| Comedy Style | Deadpan delivery, observational humour, political satire, shaggy dog stories and black comedy |
|---|---|
| Known For | Celebrity impressions, including Burt Reynolds, Larry King, Quentin Tarantino and Bob Dole |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Worked as a chokerman on a logging crew before pursuing comedy | |
| 2. Was raised speaking English in Quebec City, as his father did not allow him to learn French | |
| 3. Recorded voice lines for The Orville while in hospital before his death | |
| 4. Played chess on the street for money in his youth | |
| 5. Was a stand-up contestant on Star Search in 1990 |
