Pb Derigable Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Comedian and Actor Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50 Saturday, August 09, 2008 AP Bernie Mac CHICAGO — Bernie Mac, an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian, died suddenly Saturday at age 50 of complications from pneumonia. The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease. "Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles. She said no other details were available and asked that his family's privacy be respected. Mac worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side. Recently, Mac's brand of comedy caught him flack when he was heckled during a surprise appearance at a July fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate and fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama. Toward the end of a 10-minute standup routine, Mac joked about menopause, sexual infidelity and promiscuity, and used occasional crude language. The performance earned him a rebuke from Obama's campaign. Related But despite controversy or difficulties, in his words, Mac was always a performer. "Wherever I am, I have to play," he said in 2002. "I have to put on a good show." Mac started his comedy career at age 8, with a standup performance at a church dinner. In 1977, at age 20, he took that act to comedy clubs in Chicago. His film career started with a small role as a club doorman in the Damon Wayans movie "Mo' Money" in 1992. Mac went on to star in the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise with Brad Pitt and George Clooney and his turn with Ashton Kutcher in 2005's "Guess Who?" — a remake of the Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn 1967 classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" — topped the box office. Mac also had starring roles in "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Transformers." The comedian drew critical and popular acclaim with his Fox television series "The Bernie Mac Show," which aired more than 100 episodes from 2001 to 2006. The series about a man's adventures raising his sister's three children, won a Peabody Award in 2002. At the time, judges wrote they chose the sitcom for transcending "race and class while lifting viewers with laughter, compassion — and cool." The show garnered Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Mac. He also was nominated for a Grammy award for best comedy album in 2001 along with his "The Original Kings of Comedy" co-stars, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer. In 2007, Mac told David Letterman on CBS' "Late Show" that he planned to retire soon. "I'm going to still do my producing, my films, but I want to enjoy my life a little bit," Mac told Letterman. "I missed a lot of things, you know. I was a street performer for two years. I went into clubs in 1977." Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on Oct. 5, 1957, in Chicago. He grew up on the city's South Side, living with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather was the deacon of a Baptist church. In his 2004 memoir, "Maybe You Never Cry Again," Mac wrote about having a poor childhood — eating bologna for dinner — and a strict, no-nonsense upbringing. Mac's mother died of cancer when he was 16. In his book, Mac said she was a support for him and told him he would surprise everyone when he grew up. "Woman believed in me," he wrote. "She believed in me long before I believed." I met Bernie Mac at his house one time while icking up his TV for repair. He was eating an apple and carrying around a bottle of oxygen with him the whole time. Was very nice to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bustle In My Hedgerow Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 That really sucks... I had no idea he was that ill... He had sarcoidosis as well, right? How sad. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IluvJimmyPage Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Yes this is very sad news. I really loved him in the "Ocean's" series. Rest in Peace Bernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maven2blue Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I hate to hear this. He was one of the funniest guys ever. Loved him in Bad Santa. The Bernie Mac show was great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleNecker Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I was never a real big fan of Bernie Mac, but of the stuff I've seen him in, I've enjoyed. It sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeppFanForever Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Comedian and Actor Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50 Saturday, August 09, 2008 AP Bernie Mac CHICAGO — Bernie Mac, an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian, died suddenly Saturday at age 50 of complications from pneumonia. The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease. "Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles. She said no other details were available and asked that his family's privacy be respected. Mac worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side. Recently, Mac's brand of comedy caught him flack when he was heckled during a surprise appearance at a July fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate and fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama. Toward the end of a 10-minute standup routine, Mac joked about menopause, sexual infidelity and promiscuity, and used occasional crude language. The performance earned him a rebuke from Obama's campaign. Related But despite controversy or difficulties, in his words, Mac was always a performer. "Wherever I am, I have to play," he said in 2002. "I have to put on a good show." Mac started his comedy career at age 8, with a standup performance at a church dinner. In 1977, at age 20, he took that act to comedy clubs in Chicago. His film career started with a small role as a club doorman in the Damon Wayans movie "Mo' Money" in 1992. Mac went on to star in the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise with Brad Pitt and George Clooney and his turn with Ashton Kutcher in 2005's "Guess Who?" — a remake of the Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn 1967 classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" — topped the box office. Mac also had starring roles in "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Transformers." The comedian drew critical and popular acclaim with his Fox television series "The Bernie Mac Show," which aired more than 100 episodes from 2001 to 2006. The series about a man's adventures raising his sister's three children, won a Peabody Award in 2002. At the time, judges wrote they chose the sitcom for transcending "race and class while lifting viewers with laughter, compassion — and cool." The show garnered Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Mac. He also was nominated for a Grammy award for best comedy album in 2001 along with his "The Original Kings of Comedy" co-stars, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer. In 2007, Mac told David Letterman on CBS' "Late Show" that he planned to retire soon. "I'm going to still do my producing, my films, but I want to enjoy my life a little bit," Mac told Letterman. "I missed a lot of things, you know. I was a street performer for two years. I went into clubs in 1977." Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on Oct. 5, 1957, in Chicago. He grew up on the city's South Side, living with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather was the deacon of a Baptist church. In his 2004 memoir, "Maybe You Never Cry Again," Mac wrote about having a poor childhood — eating bologna for dinner — and a strict, no-nonsense upbringing. Mac's mother died of cancer when he was 16. In his book, Mac said she was a support for him and told him he would surprise everyone when he grew up. "Woman believed in me," he wrote. "She believed in me long before I believed." I met Bernie Mac at his house one time while icking up his TV for repair. He was eating an apple and carrying around a bottle of oxygen with him the whole time. Was very nice to me. While surfing the Internet, I read that Bernie Mac died at 50. I couldn't believe it! I loved watching The Bernie Mac Show when it was on TV as well as watching all of the "Oceans" movies. That is so sad, he was really funny. R.I.P. Bernie Mac. ROCK ON! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TypeO Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 A true King of Comedy. RIP Bernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danelectro59 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Sad news. The guy was funny most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puck Slapping Maple Sucker Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I saw a little bit of his work and that's more than enough to know how much of a great person he is, he was still young as well. RIP Bernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosiegirl Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 This was truley a shock when I heard the news this morning, becouse I did'nt even know he was sick. I always wanted to see him live but never got the chance. I did like his TV show, it was for the most part, based on his life. He did raise his sister's children, becouse of problems she was having. When I found out that he stepped in at her sister's time of need, and did'nt turn his back on them, it really showed me that he was a very special person, he was a good soul, God bless him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainsbarre Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 I know Bernie Mac, I just wish I knew what he did... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrum Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Way too young that's for sure. Him and Isaac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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