Actor and Comedian Bernie Mac Dead at 50
damn, Damn, DAMN!
Comedian Bernie Mac died at Northwestern Memorial hospital early Saturday morning, according to Sun-Times Columnist, Stella Foster. He was 50.
Though the cause of death has not been confirmed, Mac had been hospitalized recently for pneumonia. Foster said that she received calls early Saturday morning from a close friend of the Mac family, confirming the reports of Mac’s death.
The columnist also said she was deeply saddened to receive such a phone call just an hour after Mac was pronounced dead.
“It brought tears to my eyes because Bernie Mac has always been my all-time favorite entertainer and comedian. It pains me to have to report that,” Foster said during a phone interview on Saturday morning.
On Friday, a spokeswoman for the actor, whose real name is, Bernard McCullough, said that he had been responding well to treatment for the illness.
Publicist Danica Smith said Thursday in a statement that Mac’s condition is ‘’stable.” Smith first announced on August 1st that Mac was hospitalized in Chicago.
Smith has said the pneumonia isn’t related to an inflammatory lung disease Mac also has. That condition has been in remission since 2005.
Foster noted that last weekend, several web sites reported wrongly that the comedian died.
Mac made waves last month with off-color jokes during a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
The comedian starred in the critically acclaimed Fox television series ”The Bernie Mac Show.” His film credits include roles in the ”Ocean’s Eleven” franchise.
Foster says she was remembers Bernie’s comedic beginnings through his show, “Midnight Mac,” which aired for four shows on HBO and was taped in Chicago in 1995.
“It was a variety entertainment show,” she said, “He even had dancers called Macaroni’s. That was my first exposure to how talented Bernie Mac was. And after that show, that’s when Hollywood started beating down his door.”
The actor’s upcoming movies include “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer; and “Soul Men” with Samuel L. Jackson and Isaac Hayes.
There is no word on whether public services will be held.
This is obviously horrible news. It’s a shame he didn’t get to see Barack potentially get elected because he was a hardcore supporter. Anthony Gilbert just called me and the sorrow was unspoken, for we didn’t say Bernie’s name one time because we knew what it was. Bernie Mac was the shit. He had such a unique style and has been funny since he burst on the scene on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam…
Then he was off the chain on Kings of Comedy…
same show…
The second time on Def Comedy Jam when he stirred it like coffee…
Before he got his show…
The Bernie Mac show, which was a classic because it was real…
On Tavis Smiley’s show…
From the movie Head of State…
This is the same feeling I had when Robin Harris died. Too good…gone to soon. R.I.P my brothas.
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August 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Let the passing of our beloved Bernie Mac be a wake up call to us to eat better, exercise, and take better care of ourselves. While there are somethings we cannot control, we do need to handle what we can.
Mac gone but not forgotten.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
His passing is so sad. I will truely miss him.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I mean he will truly be missed. I can’t remember how to spell the half the time. I’m sure Bernie doesn’t mind my joke. Even if it’s not that funny.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Bernie Mac, who for the past 30 years made the public laugh with an over-sized comic persona in film, television and comedy clubs, has died of pneumonia, PEOPLE has confirmed. He was 50.more Info http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/celebrity/comedian-bernie-mac-dies-at-50
August 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
RIP Bernie you were a true chicago kat.
And to what most unknown said we forget that many people die every year from simple things like pneumonia and women giving birth. Long ago people dying from these 2 things were common. But due to todays medicine and medical advances it isn’t as common as it once was. However peopel still to this day lose their lives to something as simple as pneumonia. A friend of mine lost his mother who was in her 50s to pneumonia. It is bad on the young but extrememly dangerous when dealing with older folks.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
WORDS CANNOT ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE NUMB FEELING I’M EXPERIENCING INSIDE RIGHT NOW. I SEND MY SINCERE PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME IN THEIR LIVES. LOOK TO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE ALL YOUR HELP COMES, AND YOU WILL RECEIVE STRENGTH TO GO ON. GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU STRONG.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Man, this is rough. I was a huge fan of his show. It should have gotten much more pub. It was funny, well-written, down-to-earth, well-acted. Damn. Bernie seemed like a class act. Married to the same woman for a long time. Damn. RIP Bernie.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I’m very sad that it happened so soon to such a great comedian. I’m still in shock. R.I.P. Bernie Mac.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
[...] segment before me) and I will all be in a little shock on the show tonight with all this bad news goings on. More will be posted here as this unfortunate story develops. My stomach hurts. Here’s a [...]
August 10th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
This truly hurts, I can’t really say much else right now.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
RIP Mac-man
August 10th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
RIP bernie mack I am truly sorry for his lost and my deepist condonances goes out to his family.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
gone , but never be forgotten