Norm Macdonald Shot Secret Netflix Stand-Up Special Before His Passing

Norm Macdonald is best known for his roles on SNL or the film Dirty Work. The well-known and much-loved comedian was 61-years-old when he passed away in September of last year. One of modern comedy’s greatest talents made one final stand-up special before he passed away and it’s been kept a secret, until now.

The acclaimed Saturday Night Live actor-comedian known for his deadpan delivery was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 but kept his illness private. He was working on new material for a Netflix special when he had to go into the hospital in the summer of 2020.

Lori Jo Hoekstra, Macdonald’s longtime producing partner, told The Hollywood Reporter, “His test results were not good, so during the heart of COVID-19 pandemic and literally the night before going in for a procedure, he wanted to get this on tape just in case — as he put it — things went south,” She added, “It was his intention to have a special to share if something happened.”

However, Macdonald made it through the medical procedure just fine. Norm privately shot an unreleased one-hour stand-up special. The actor filmed the entire hour in a single take. Hoekstra shared with the outlet, “He looks great and the material’s fantastic,” but the footage was literally tossed in a closet.

Macdonald became very ill a year later, before his special could be properly filmed before an audience. Hoekstra shared, “He ended up getting sicker last August and September, and he remembered he had shot this and asked me to find it so he could watch it,” Macdonald even suggested a characteristically self-deprecating title for the hour: Nothing Special.

“He ended up watching it before he passed away.”

Netflix will release the surprise stand-up comedy performance, Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special‚ on May 30th. The stand-up hour is likely a first in the world of comedy, a postmortem last joke. Stay tuned to Thirsty.

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