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Martin Short, Steve Martin remember Norm Macdonald: 'There was no one funnier'

By Annie Martin   |   Sept. 23, 2021 at 9:21 AM
Martin Short (R) and Steve Martin discussed late "SNL" alum Norm Macdonald on "The Tonight Show." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Martin Short attends a Women's Cancer Research Fund benefit in 2020. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Steve Martin attends the New York Film Festival premiere of "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" in 2016. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Martin Short attends the God's Love We Deliver Love Rocks NYC! benefit concert in 2019. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Steve Martin attends his AFI Live Achievement Award gala in 2015. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Martin Short and Steve Martin have nothing but praise for late actor and comedian Norm Macdonald.

Short, 71, and Martin, 76, discussed their friend and former Saturday Night Live star on Wednesday's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon following Macdonald's death Sept. 14.

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Short remembered Macdonald as a brilliant comedian.

"There was no one funnier," Short said.

Martin said he and Short have a tribute to comedians, including Macdonald, in their Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.

"We name different comedians, like Bob Newhart and people. And we do a tribute to Norm Macdonald, and we use one of his lines. We say ... 'There's only two categories of cliff diving -- grand champion and stuff on rock,'" Martin said.

Short also praised Macdonald's originality.

"I really think that in comedy, particularly, the originals stand out the most, and they stay with us long after they're gone," Short said. "And there was no one more original than Norm Macdonald."

"There was no one who did his style. There was no one who had his rhythms," he added. "He was remarkable and so kind and funny."

Macdonald died at age 61 on Sept. 14 following a private battle with cancer. David Letterman, Adam Sandler and Sarah Silverman were among the stars to pay tribute to Macdonald on social media following his death.

Short and Martin play Oliver Putnam and Charles-Haden Savage on Only Murders in the Building. The mystery-comedy series co-stars Selena Gomez and was renewed for a second season in September.