Comedian/actor/family man Bernie Mac has died at the age of 50 from complications due to pneumonia. Mac was admitted to a Chicago hospital on August 1st and was thought to be doing well enough to be released from the hospital within a few weeks. His death on Saturday, August 9, 2008 came as a shock as it had been reported his condition was not life-threatening.
Mac had been in remisson from sarcoidosis since 2005. Sarcoidosis is a disease which causes inflammation of the tissues, however sarcoidosis is said not to have contributed to Mac's death.
Mac began his career as a stand-up comedian and toured as a member of The Original Kings of Comedy along with fellow funny men D L Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Steve Harvey. Mac earned a Peabody Award for his TV series The Bernie Mac Show which aired from 2001-2006. Notable film roles included Bad Santa, Guess Who?, and Mr 3000. Mac was also a part of the Ocean's gang in the three Ocean's films: Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, and Ocean's Thirteen. The popular actor recently completed work on the comedy movie Soul Men with Samuel L Jackson and the ensemble comedy Old Dogs with John Travolta, Robin Williams and Matt Dillon.
Bernie Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on October 5, 1957 in Chicago, Ill. Mac is survived by Rhonda, his wife of 30 years, their daughter Je'Niece, and one grandchild.
