TORONTO -- Tributes, well wishes and funny anecdotes have begun pouring in for the late Canadian comic Norm Macdonald, who died Tuesday at age 61 of cancer.
Macdonald, who was a stand-up comedian, writer and actor with a signature deadpan delivery, was a staple in the comedy TV world, with appearances on The Drew Carey Show and NewsRadio.
He was also the former Saturday Night Live âWeekend Updateâ anchor, a much-loved position that cemented his influence on the comedy scene.
On Twitter, news of his death spread quickly, with comedy legend âwe loved Norm Macdonald. One of a kind.â
David Letterman called him âthe bestâ in âevery important way in the world of stand-up,â , adding that Macdonaldâs famous âmatter-of-fact delivery leveled â audiences.
Famed Canadian comedian Jim Carrey also on Twitter, writing âmy 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.â
Adam Sandler called Macdonald the âmost fearless funny original guy we knew,â .
American comic and writer Patton Oswalt , saying âGood bye, Norm. You were never not 100% hilarious.â
Canadian actor Jay Baruchel called Macdonald a âsincere heroâ and a âboundless source of inspirationâ since he was a teenager âHe was also the rarest of beings: a truly original artist. The worldâs loss is Canadian heavenâs gain. We will never see his like again,â the rest of the tweet reads.
Seth Rogan of Macdonald, he modelled his early career on the comedians delivery style, writing âwe lost a comedy giant today. One of the all time greats. RIP.â
Film critic Richard Crouse called Macdonaldâs death âincredibly sadâ on CTVâs News Channel Tuesday, adding that it was the late comedians âethosâ to put comedy first and everything else second, including his private bout with cancer.
âHe was a fearless comic,â Crouse continued.
It was a sentiment echoed by Yuk-Yukâs co-founder Mark Breslin on CTVâs News Channel Tuesday, who said Macdonald stood apart as ânot a lot of comics can be described by the word dignified.â
âHe was intelligent, he forced the audience to come to his own level of comedy and all with this twinkle in his eye, in those beautiful blue eyes of his, to let you know that everything was a joke, and a good one too,â Breslin said of Macdonald.
Breslin recalled that Macdonaldâs first stand-up gig was at a Yuk-Yukâs in Ottawa, and that he was so good âit only took three nights on amateur night before he was moved upâŚNorm was a fantastic comic in every way, shape and form.â
Welsh actor and comedian Rob Brydon a âglorious comedianâ and âuniqueâ on his Twitter account. Conan OâBrien, The Iron Sheik, Ken Jeong, Jennifer Sterger and Seth MacFarlane have also penned tributes to Macdonald online.
Jon Stewart kept his tribute to Macdonald brief and to the point online, âno one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique.â
Canadian politicians chimed in on social media as well.
Conservative Leader Erin OâToole to Macdonaldâs family and friends, writing âCanada is known for producing some of the greatest comedians, and Norm Macdonald is certainly one of the reasons whyâŚhe will be missed.â
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said âthe world was a much funnier place because Norm Macdonald was in itâ in his condolence adding that Canada had âlost a comedic genius.â
Ontario Premier Doug Ford that he was âvery sad to hearâ of Macdonaldâs death, and that âhis work brought joy to millions around the world.â