Bernie Mac - Transitions at Age 50

[NubianSysta]

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac dies at age 50 By F.N. D'ALESSIO, Associated Press Writer
28 minutes ago



CHICAGO - Bernie Mac, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian who worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side, died Saturday at age 50.

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"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 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."

[G.O.D.F.A.T.H.A.]

R.I.P. Bernie Mac. He was a funny guy who will be sorely missed.

[nattyreb]

This Bro. exemplified family values by stepping in and raising his sister's children, and insodoing set a positive example in showing a more relatable family sit-com than the Huxtables, IMO, by building a strong, extended family unit. The children were hilarious (i had a Vanessa during those teenage years, that young Sista had it down to a "T," lol).

Altho his stand-up was raunchy and his big-screen personas stereotypical for Hollyweird scripts, i really believe this Bro. had a whole lotta love for Black people, our music, and our idiosyncracies. i'll miss him!

[Mamazen]

I'm still kinda in shock about this.

Very sad indeed.

[nattyreb]

Funny (not really) that the most the tv news in their extremely brief reporting on this can focus on is that the Obama campaign recently rebuked him for telling off-color jokes at a recent campaign fundraiser. Typical on all levels, revoltingly so.

[rebelAfrika]

50 is just way too young. Chris Rock said that "black people need to start getting social security at 29" because of how young we dying. Bernie Mac will be sorely missed. Rest in Uhuru.

[TheStruggle]

Yeah Its far too young. Man I can't believe this crap. Another talent black man died. I guess he would be best in God's hands, Rest In Peace.

[DreadedBliss]

Just saw this on a news page a few minutes ago. I am in shock. He will truly, truly be missed. 50, dear God. We die way too young .

[Jalili]

This news is really sad, funny man, strong brother, gone to early

RIU

[DreadedBliss]

I'm having a really hard time with this. It's just so surreal. I really enjoyed this Brother. I can't believe he passed today.

[Kushnology]

RIP Bernie.

[Fenix]

R.I.P. Indeed.

My father just turned 50. This is so frightening.

[tyydae]

i'm still shocked. kinda hard to believe, as well.

i was just telling my husband how many deaths we have witnessed since we first married.