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People Magazine

Associated Press

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac dies at age 50
By F.N. D'ALESSIO – 36 minutes ago

CHICAGO (AP) — Bernie Mac, the actor and comedian who teamed up in the casino heist caper "Ocean's Eleven" and gained a prestigious Peabody Award for his sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show," died Saturday at age 50.

"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.

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.

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.

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 worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side. He began doing standup as a child, and his film career started with a small role as a club doorman in the Damon Wayans comedy "Mo' Money" in 1992. In 1996, he appeared in the Spike Lee drama "Get on the Bus."

He was one of "The Original Kings of Comedy" in the 2000 documentary of that title that brought a new generation of black standup comedy stars to a wider audience.

Mac went on to star in the hugely popular "Ocean's Eleven" franchise with Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

His turn with Ashton Kutcher in 2005's "Guess Who" topped the box office. It was a comedy remake of the classic Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn drama "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" — with Mac as the black dad who's shocked that his daughter is marrying a white man.

Mac also had starring roles in "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Transformers."

In the late 1990s, he had a recurring role in "Moesha," the UPN network comedy starring pop star Brandy.

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.

"But television handcuffs you, man," he said in a 2001 Associated Press interview. "Now everyone telling me what I CAN'T do, what I CAN say, what I SHOULD do, and asking, `Are blacks gonna be mad at you? Are whites gonna accept you?'"

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.

"I came from a place where there wasn't a lot of joy," Mac told the AP in 2001. "I decided to try to make other people laugh when there wasn't a lot of things to laugh about."

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."

Associated Press writer Carla Johnson also contributed to this report.

A couple of days ago, my sister called me to ask if Bernie Mac had died? I went on the internet and couldn't confirm the rumor.

When I spoke to her this morning it was confirmed. I didn't have the tv on so, I went on the net again. Right below an article that reported his death was on that stated that he was recovering and would be leaving the hospital soon.

I really enjoyed watching the Bernie Mac Show. R.I.P. Mr. Mac.

"You Don't Understand, I Ain't Afraid Of You M+therf+ckers!"

My favorite Bernie Mac line. One of the all- time greats. Go on and take your seat alongside Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Robin Harris and the many other Black comics whose lives were cut short but who made their sole life's mission and purpose to make our lives happier.

We will miss you Bernie.

R.I.P my brother.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cholly,

Bernie was thr man, I will miss him...

This was awfully sad news

I actually preferred him as an actor rather than as a comic.

R.I.P ... and may God bless his soul.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EbonyRose,

********************
BLACK by NATURE, PROUD by CHOICE.
Before there was ANY history, there was BLACK history.

BUY BLACK!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Cholly:
"You Don't Understand, I Ain't Afraid Of You M+therf+ckers!"

Word.

I already miss ya, Bernie.
Bernie at his best...in concert (a clip from the "Original Kings of Comedy")

Bernie Mac- Bad Ass Kids
I laughed and cried at the same time, when I watched this.

He did have a "Papa Don't Take No Mess" father-type persona. In fact, Bernie and my dad both shared a birthday...October 5th.

Originally posted by Cholly

quote:

"You Don't Understand, I Ain't Afraid Of You M+therf+ckers!"

My favorite Bernie Mac line. One of the all- time greats. Go on and take your seat alongside Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Robin Harris and the many other Black comics whose lives were cut short but made their sole life's mission and purpose was to make our lives happier.

We will miss you Bernie.

R.I.P my brother.

Well said! Bernie was more than a mere comedic relief....he was appointed by the universe to do a job that was NEARLY impossible...to represent Black life in its raw form with dignity and respect. Although some may see his performance as a bit vulgar...but such as real life. He brought it to us....straight no chaser. And for that, he will always be KING....not just of comedy...but of life. I am totally wiped out about this.

I send love and respect to his family. Cuz the times ahead without HIM will not be easy. We as human beings have truly lost one of our perfect/imperfect irreplaceable precious jewels...i.e. The Mac Man.

But even though he's gone and I am very saddened by it...everytime I think of him even now...I can't help but laugh laugh laugh. I'm definitely gonna miss you, my brotha....definitely

Very sad. The brother will be missed. No doubt. In fact, I was watching him on YouTube earlier this week on the original Def Jam Comedy (1992) with Martin Lawrence as the host.

By far my favorite comedian of all time, he will be missed.

quote:
Originally posted by Cholly:
"You Don't Understand, I Ain't Afraid Of You M+therf+ckers!"


Truly a line for all time.

My heart fell out of me...

...I will miss B so much.

"WIAW!"