Hardbopjazz Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 I really thought he was so funny. Sad, dead at 50. By F.N. D'ALESSIO, Associated Press Writer 14 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. "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." ___ Associated Press writer Carla Johnson also contributed to this report. Quote
Dan Gould Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Sad news. While I wasn't a devoted fan, he usually made me laugh wherever I saw him. Quote
Shawn Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Funny guy, really enjoyed him in the Oceans films. 50 is too early to go. Quote
papsrus Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Funny guy, really enjoyed him in the Oceans films. 50 is too early to go. Yes, way too early. Scares the hell out of me when I read about people younger than me dying. Quote
Christiern Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Too young to die, too crude to amuse me before that. Quote
catesta Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Shit, I knew he was in the hospital with pneumonia but didn't expect this. He was one of the funniest dudes out there and I will miss his him. Quote
DukeCity Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Loved him in "Original Kings of Comedy". RIP. Quote
BruceH Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 That the HELL? WAY too young to go! I wasn't a big fan either, but I also liked him in the Ocean's films. Too bad. RIP Quote
JSngry Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 I was a fan, did not know he was ill, and am shocked by this news. He'll be missed here. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Please, no more 'dead at fifty' stories until next year. And no 'dead at fifty-one' stories then... Being terminally unhip, I have no idea who Bernie Mac is, but damn....fifty? That's sad no matter who it is. Quote
Willard Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 (edited) Mr. Death has taste for people who make our life brighter. Edited August 9, 2008 by Willard Quote
catesta Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Please, no more 'dead at fifty' stories until next year. And no 'dead at fifty-one' stories then... Being terminally unhip, I have no idea who Bernie Mac is, but damn....fifty? That's sad no matter who it is. Here is come classic Bernie Mac for you. Enjoy Quote
robviti Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 I wish to hell that my MSN homepage would stop featuring the headline: Spokeswoman: Bernie Mac responding to treatment from 8/7. Like some others here, I wasn't his biggest fan, but he did make me laugh. RIP Bernie. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Not a huge fan but saw the end of one tv show with him finishing his act. The last few minutes were riveting and I give him serious props for that memory. Quote
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