Norm Macdonald’s death was announced to Deadline by his management firm Brillstein Entertainment.
The comedian’s longtime producing partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra, who was with him when died, said Macdonald had been battling cancer for nearly a decade but was determined to keep his health struggles private, away from family, friends and fans.
“He was most proud of his comedy,” Hoekstra said. “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.”
Macdonald is especially known for his dry comedy, along with hosting Saturday Night Live‘s weekend update.
His very private battle with cancer has been lost, Hollywood is reacting.. 
