“I’ve never seen so many dead hookers in all my life,” said Norm MacDonald as Mitch in the 1998 comedy Dirty Work. Off and on the screen, he’s always called ’em like he sees ’em. From straight-up commentary to punch-you-in-the-nose punch lines, MacDonald holds nothing back. His dry delivery, paired with a slightly dimpled grin, makes his wry slant on life irresistible.

The Canadian comic honed his craft with five years on Saturday Night Live; he anchored the “Weekend Update” segment for three of those years. He’s also been in movies such as Dirty Work, Screwed and 2010’s Grown Ups. Within his craft, he’s versatile—from telling raunchy, crude and sexual jokes to impersonating celebrities to digging into the world of sports. In late 2010, the Comedy Central network announced it was working on a pilot with MacDonald for a weekly sports broadcast, similar in style to The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.

Norm MacDonald @ Wiseguys Comedy Café, 2194 W. 3500 South, West Valley City, 801-463-2909, Feb. 5, 7:30 & 10 p.m., $25. WiseguysComedy.com.