Net Worth Ranker
What Is Norm Macdonald’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on September 14, 2021, Norm Macdonald, the Canadian-born actor, writer, and stand-up comedian, had a net worth of $2.5 million. This figure represents the culmination of his career earnings from various avenues in the entertainment industry, including his work on “Saturday Night Live,” stand-up comedy, acting roles in film and television, writing credits, and brand endorsements.
Early Career and “Saturday Night Live” Years
Norman Gene Macdonald was born on October 17, 1959, in Quebec City, Canada. While specific details about his early income from stand-up comedy at Yuk Yuks in Ottawa are not available, his emergence as a top up-and-coming comic in Canada by the mid-1980s suggests a growing income from live performances and local television appearances. His appearance on “Star Search” in 1990, although not a win, would have provided some initial exposure and likely a small appearance fee.
Macdonald’s big break came in 1993 when he joined “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). While the exact salary for an SNL cast member varies based on experience and tenure, it’s reasonable to estimate that Macdonald’s salary started in the range of $7,000 to $10,000 per episode during his initial seasons. Given that SNL typically airs around 20 episodes per season, his annual income from the show would have been in the range of $140,000 to $200,000 initially.
His role as the “Weekend Update” host, starting in his second season, significantly increased his visibility and likely his value to the show. Although specific figures are not publicly available, it’s plausible that his salary increased substantially during this period, potentially reaching upwards of $300,000 to $500,000 per year. Despite earning millions over his time on the show, Norm revealed that was only able to save around $200,000 from his “Saturday Night Live” salary, due to his gambling addiction.
The controversy surrounding his removal from “Weekend Update” in early 1998, allegedly due to jokes about O.J. Simpson, highlights the complex dynamics between creative freedom, network censorship, and potential financial repercussions. While Macdonald remained on SNL as a cast member for a few weeks, his eventual firing at the end of February marked a turning point in his career. His film “Dirty Work” received negative reviews from critics and failed to break even at the box office, and the ads for the movie was never shown during episodes of “SNL”.
Post-“SNL” Career and Income Streams
Following his departure from “SNL,” Macdonald pursued various avenues in film and television, contributing to his overall net worth. His role as the voice of Lucky the Dog in Eddie Murphy’s “Dr. Dolittle” (1998) and its sequels provided a steady income stream. Voice acting roles typically pay per session or per film, with established actors like Macdonald commanding fees ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 per project.
In 1999, Macdonald began starring in “The Norm Show,” later renamed “Norm,” which ran for three seasons on ABC. Sitcom actors’ salaries vary widely based on the show’s success, the actor’s star power, and negotiation skills. It is possible that Macdonald’s salary for “The Norm Show” started in the range of $50,000 to $100,000 per episode, potentially increasing to $150,000 to $250,000 per episode as the show gained popularity. With approximately 22 episodes per season, his annual income from the show could have ranged from $1.1 million to $5.5 million.
His appearances in films like “Man on the Moon” (1999) and “Screwed” (2000), alongside Dave Chappelle, would have added to his income, although the exact figures are not publicly available. Film actors’ salaries depend on their role size, the film’s budget, and their negotiating power. Considering Macdonald’s established status, he likely earned between $100,000 and $500,000 per film role during this period.
Macdonald’s $500,000 win on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” in 2000, although donated to charity, underscores his ability to generate significant income through various avenues. His voice acting role in “The Fairly OddParents” starting in 2005 provided another source of revenue. Animated voice acting roles typically pay per session, with rates ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the actor’s profile and the role’s significance.
His appearances on shows like “My Name Is Earl,” “Match Game,” “Celebrity Jeopardy,” and “Million Dollar Password,” as well as his stint filling in for Dennis Miller on “The O’Reilly Factor,” contributed to his income through appearance fees and guest star salaries. These fees can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars per appearance, depending on the show’s popularity and the actor’s profile.
In 2009, Macdonald starred in “The Norm Macdonald Reality Show” on FX, further adding to his earnings. The podcast “Norm Macdonald Live,” launched in 2013, and his role as a judge on “Last Comic Standing” in 2015, provided additional income streams through advertising revenue, sponsorships, and appearance fees.
His Netflix talk show, “Norm Macdonald Has a Show,” which debuted in 2018, marked another significant milestone in his career and likely commanded a substantial salary. Netflix is known for paying top talent generously, and Macdonald’s established reputation would have positioned him for a lucrative deal.
Brand Endorsements and Commercial Work
Macdonald supplemented his income through brand endorsements and commercial work. His voice acting roles in commercials for Bell Mobility (2006), AT&T (2007-2008), and Safe Auto Insurance Company (2012) would have generated significant income. Voice acting fees for commercials can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the brand, the campaign’s scope, and the actor’s profile.
His portrayal of Colonel Sanders in KFC commercials starting in 2015 was a particularly high-profile endorsement deal. Celebrity endorsements can command fees ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the celebrity’s popularity and the campaign’s reach. It is plausible that Macdonald earned several hundred thousand dollars or more for his work with KFC.
Real Estate Holdings
In 2015, Norm Macdonald listed his condo in Santa Monica for $2.2 million. The 1,630-square-foot apartment, located just two blocks from Santa Monica beach, offered ocean views. He had purchased the property for $1.75 million in 2008, indicating a potential profit of $450,000 before factoring in real estate commissions and other expenses.
Reports in 2015 also suggested that Macdonald had purchased another property in Playa Vista for $750,000. These real estate holdings contributed to his overall net worth, although the specific details of any rental income or capital appreciation are not publicly available.
Gambling Addiction and Financial Impact
Macdonald’s gambling addiction, which reached its peak during his time on “Saturday Night Live,” had a significant impact on his finances. He reportedly would leave immediately after filming his “Weekend Update” segment to gamble in Atlantic City. Norm later revealed that was only able to save around $200,000 from his “Saturday Night Live” salary, despite earning millions over his time on the show.
His gambling addiction started when he won a six-figure sum at a craps table in Atlantic City. He apparently lost essentially all the money he had in the world on three separate occasions while gambling. At one sitting, he once lost $400,000. While he was a skilled poker player, placing 20th out of 827 contestants at the No-Limit Texas Hold ’em event at the 2007 World Series of Poker, his overall gambling habits negatively impacted his ability to accumulate wealth.
Posthumous Earnings
The posthumous release of his stand-up comedy special “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special” on Netflix in May 2022 generated additional income for his estate. The special’s critical acclaim and three Primetime Emmy nominations would have increased its viewership and generated royalties for Macdonald’s heirs.
