Aug 10 2008
Comedian Bernie Mac Dies At 50
The entire entertainment community is mourning the surprise death of commedain and actor Bernie Mac, who passed away Saturday morning in a Chicago Hospital. Mac died from complications from pneumonia, for which he entered the hospital only a few days ago.
Mac has been known throughout his career for bringing humor to real life situations. Much of his comedy was drawn from personal experiences, and though he told his jokes from the perspective of a Black man, he had gain tremendous mainstream appeal in recent years.
He was born Bernard McCullough, and grew up on Chicago’s imfamous south side. He began performing in Chicago area comedy clubs in 1977 while still a teen, but did not acheive success on a national scale until he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search in 1990.
In 1992, he landed his first film role playing a doorman in the film “Mo’ Money”, starring Damon Wayans. After hosting several HBO specials, he convinced the cable network to give him a shot a regular series, “Midnight Mac”, which ran for one season.
His biggest break came while touring with fellow comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, and D.L. Hughley in a show aptley named “Kings of Comedy”. The show was filmed as a documentary by director Spike Lee, and had a successful box office run.
In 1999, he began filming ”Ocean’s Eleven” with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. He also starred in “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Ocean’s Thirteen”. In 2001, “The Bernie Mac Show”, began running on the Fox network, and continued until 2006.
When informed of Mac’s death, George Clooney stated that “the world just got a little less funny”. Don Cheadle added, “This is a very sad day for many of us who knew and loved Bernie. He brought so much joy to so many. He will be missed, but heaven just got funnier.”
Rest in peace, Bernie Mac.
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