Tributes pour in for late comedy great Norm Macdonald
Tributes continue to pour in for legendary Canadian comedian Norm Macdonald, whose sudden passing on Tuesday was unexpected to many.
Macdonald last performed in Winnipeg back in 2018 at Rumor’s Comedy Club for a sold out eight-show stand. Demand for tickets was so high that when tickets went on sale the website crashed.
“At the time it caused a little bit of chaos, but it was such an overwhelming amount of support and how excited people were to see him in an intimate venue like this,” said Tyler Schultz, the general manager of Rumor's Comedy Club. “He was so kind, generous and gracious. It was quite an experience.”
Schultz described him as a man of the people, always willing to take time for pictures and conversations with strangers.
“He would ask them intriguing questions. It wasn’t just small talk. He genuinely wanted to know what people were about. That kind of celebrity status, and for him to be asking like our cooks and hostesses what they do during the day went a long way,” Schultz said.
One memory stands out for Schultz from about ten years ago. He had comedian Gilbert Gottfried booked at the club and Macdonald, who was performing at the Burton Cummings Theatre, had the night off.
“So he came here and then it was just me, Gilbert and Norm in the Green Room, and I just sat like a fly on the wall, just listening to these two legends," said Schultz.
Macdonald’s unique and fearless comedic style is what Shultz believes drew his legion of fans.
“He did it his way all the time,” said Shultz. “He was just unapologetic and his peers respected him so much for that. Just the outpouring of support that we saw yesterday was phenomenal and it really shows his character.”
Macdonald’s legacy will serve as an inspiration to the new generation of comedians, according to Schultz. He said his delivery was unmatched, the risks he took were huge and you can see that in the bits he did on television shows such as Conan O’Brian or Letterman.
“He’ll always have a special spot in the comedy community. Talk about Mount Rushmore – people put him up there, myself included,” said Schultz.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.