Norm Macdonald, best-known for his work on long-running sketch show Saturday Night Live, died on Tuesday aged 61 following a private, nine-year battle with cancer.
The Canadian stand-up was famed for his memorable appearances on the US late-night TV circuit.
Following Macdonald's death, his 2014 joke about a moth’s visit to a podiatrist on Conan O’Brien’s show was praised as a classic.
The Late Late Show host James Corden was among those paying tribute Macdonald, describing the comedian as among the greatest ever late-night TV guests.
He said: "Some really sad news today, we have lost an absolute comedy legend, I’m sure you will have seen this in the news today – Norm Macdonald passed away today, far too soon, far too young, after a nine-year battle with cancer.
"A battle that Norm never told anybody about. Because all Norm ever wanted to do was make us laugh and he was absolutely brilliant at it."
Corden added: "There was nobody quite like him. I felt privileged any time I got to be in his orbit. He leaves us as one of the all-time great comics, perhaps the single greatest guest in the history of late-night television."
On his late-night show, Seth Meyers, also a former Saturday Night Live star, paid a warm tribute to Macdonald.
"He was the gold standard and he will continue to be the gold standard," Meyers said.
"He was the gold standard." @SethMeyers reflects on the passing of comedy legend Norm Macdonald. pic.twitter.com/kvxi01VN7Z
— Late Night with Seth Meyers (@LateNightSeth) September 15, 2021
"I would just suggest that everybody go watch him tell the moth story on Conan, go watch any number of Norm Macdonald things tonight, because they are really, truly timeless."
Tributes poured in for the late comedian on Twitter.
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.
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) September 14, 2021
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. pic.twitter.com/KQYuuz5eM9
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) September 14, 2021
There are very few really funny people
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) September 15, 2021
Norm MacDonald was one of them
It's infuriating to learn that his comedy was
interfered with by the usual clueless executives
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.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) September 14, 2021
Source: Press Association
