Photo by: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Norm Macdonald brought many laughs during the past few decades from his comedic work. From Saturday Night Live, movies, television, and stand-up, Macdonald was a beloved comedian especially known for his deadpan style. Sadly, Macdonald passed away today at the age of 61 after quietly battling cancer for the past nine years.

Macdonald’s management firm Brillstein Entertainment announced the news of the comedian’s death, which was quite a shock since the diagnosis was hidden from the public for almost an entire decade.

“He was most proud of his comedy,” said Lori Jo Hoekstra, friend and producing partner of Macdonald. “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.”

After first working in comedy as a writer for Roseanne, MacDonald was casted on Saturday Night Live in 1993. He remained on the show until 1998 and was most praised for his role as the anchor of the satire news segment “Weekend Update.” Soon after leaving the series, Macdonald co-wrote and starred in the film Dirty Work, which was directed by Bob Saget. He then created and starred in his own television series The Norm Show (later shortened to Norm) and continued to work in television, film, and stand up throughout the rest of his life.

Norm will be so missed by his loved ones and fans throughout the world.
Watch Macdonald’s highlights on SNL’s “Weekend Update” here: