Bernie Mac has Passed Away

Zoneboy · 08-09-2008, 09:38 AM

Link

Comedian and Chicago native Bernie Mac died early Saturday morning from complications due to pneumonia, his publicist confirmed.

Mac, 50, had been hospitalized for about a week at Northwestern Hospital, according to his spokeswoman. A few years ago, Mac disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.

The comic born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough could cut an imposing figure. He stood six-foot-three, was built like a fullback and carried himself with a bouncer's reticence. But perhaps the strongest weapon in the Chicago comedian's arsenal was that voice, that amalgam of thought and a delivery that could rise like a tidal wave, outpace a Gatling gun and remained, to his last days, loud and unapologetic.

He wasn't scared, he told us time and again, to tell anyone what he thought, to say what others were afraid to say. That fearlessness wasn't always welcome, considering Mac didn't get his big break until his 30s. But when he did, the comic skyrocketed to success in stand-up, television and the big screen.

Bernie Mac Mac shared screen time with some of Hollywood's larger-than-life leading men, co-starring with Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in the "Oceans 11" remake and subsequent sequels.

Most recently, Mac garnered attention for making unsavory comments at a Barack Obama benefit that the presumptive Democratic candidate had to distance himself from.

Growing up on the South Side a hard-core White Sox fan, Mac discovered early on that he wanted to make a go at being a comedian. Before his 10th birthday, Mac was performing comedy standup, honing his skills on CTA trains and parks before graduating to well-known haunts like the Regal Theater and the Cotton Club. He came to a realization during those first years as a struggling comic: If he could kill in front of a black crowd, he could kill in any crowd.

"Black audiences are hard," he told the New York Times in 2002. "You got to come with a little extra to satisfy them."

He also learned that comedy isn't a lucrative business when you starting out. During those lean years in the 80s, Mac drove a Wonder Bread delivery truck to pay the bills.

Life changed dramatically for Mac when he was 32. He won the Miller Lite comedy search that year and that performance took him to the standup stage, which ultimately led to regular performances on popular shows like HBO's "Def Comedy Jam."

In a few short years, he was able to put a stamp on this tell-it-like-it-is brand of comedy that audiences had come to know him for. He was a hit on the stage, delivering sordid tales of his early life growing up on Chicago's South Side. Would be great to get a couple examples here

His work hit home to the African American audience -- his aggressive, brash comedy had a down home feel to it, tackling everything from family life to black romantic relationships -- yet Mac was able to cross it over, connecting with a majority entertainment scene.

"When I started in comedy in the clubs in 1977, blacks couldn't do certain clubs -- not because they were segregated. They just didn't want to put the [black comics] out there. In Los Angeles, the clubs would have a black night. People would say, 'Why don't you come by and do something?' I would say, 'I'm a comedian -- don't put a title on me.' Don't limit yourself. How you start is how you finish," he told the Tribune in 2007. "If you let people put tags on you, you'll never be able to remove them. You've got to make people respect you. Respect is bigger than dollars and cents."

Mac got his respect and he gained national attention after his set on HBO's popular late-night series Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Decked out in a pair of jeans with his face illustrated, graffiti-style, on the right pants leg, Mac expounded on one taboo subject after another, from the benefits of snitching to his prowess in the bedroom.

"I ain't scared of you [expletive]!" became his signature tagline.

Many took note of the blue comic's performance, which later led to a bit part in 1992's "Mo' Money," and later an HBO Special, "Midnight Mac."

In 1995, Mac earned a spot in the cult-classic "Friday," and the film helped Mac break out. His portrayal of Pastor Clever was one of the film's highlights, however small it was. He followed it up with bit roles in other films, including "Booty Call," and "Def Jam's: How to Be a Player."

But he wanted more.

Mac sowed the seeds for his success on a cloudy day in North Carolina while taping the 2000 Spike Lee concert film, "The Original Kings of Comedy." There, on a rain-soaked basketball court, buttressed by co-stars Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey, Mac issued a challenge to Hollywood:

"Do I have a television show? Nah," Mac told the cameras. "Why? 'Cause you scared of me, Scared I'm a say something. You [expletive] right. Think I won't say something?!"

A year later, Mac got his chance. "The Bernie Mac Show" debuted on Fox in November 2001, drawing critical acclaim, numerous awards, including two Emmy nominations for Mac and, most important, high ratings. Its premiere episode drew 11.4 million viewers. The second episode, which immediately followed the first, drew 12.4 million.

For the next four years, Mac spoke to the America public--via a break in the fourth wall a la Dobie Gillis--with all the befuddlement of a 40-something taskmaster father lost in a sea of talk therapy and "Time Outs." "Now, America," Mac would often begin before going into a rant about undisciplined children, cuddling parents or, one of his favorite topics, the differences between black and white people.

But in 2005, the show went off the air. Several reasons contributed to cancellation: The show's ratings had dropped, Mac was getting more lucrative offers from the movie studios. Before the 2000 concert film, Mac's biggest credit was a recurring role on "Moesha."

But Mac's health was also a factor. In 2004, he halted production on the show while recovering from exhaustion. A year later, he disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.

In spite of that, his star has risen a great deal. In addition to the highly popular "Oceans" films, he co-starred with Ashton Kutcher in a reverse remake of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in 2005.

Last spring, Mac said that he was hanging up his standup career, and instead focus more on movies. In 2007, he co-starred in "Ocean's Thirteen," "Pride" and had a role in the blockbuster "Transformers."

Scheduled for release later this year is "Soul Men," with Samuel L. Jackson and was cast in "Old Dogs," with Robin Williams, which is due next year.

Mac is survived by his wife Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je'Niece, a son-in-law and a granddaughter, Jasmine.

80sTrivia · 08-09-2008, 09:40 AM

I was just about to post the following, Zoneboy:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...,1521239.story

ThomasE · 08-09-2008, 09:55 AM

I was about to post this as well. I cannot believe this has happened. One minute, I am watching the olympice on USA, the next minute, I am on MSM and getting this message. WOW! It is amazing what you could be doing one minute and all of the sudden, things change up on you. I have to get over this terrible news.

EighteenMinutes · 08-09-2008, 10:19 AM

Yeah...just read about this. Sad news.

Brian Damage · 08-09-2008, 10:26 AM

So young, so tragic...

Clint Eastwood Fan · 08-09-2008, 10:30 AM

OMG. I used to be a big fan of the BMS. This is so sad. I'm just stunned. R.I.P. Bernie,

Zoneboy · 08-09-2008, 10:36 AM

This was just a total and unexpected shock, I thought he was getting better and was scheduled to be released from the hospital soon.

Bernie

jentrent · 08-09-2008, 10:45 AM

My family and I loved the Bernie Mac show, and are broken hearted to hear of his passing. Bernie could make you laugh even when you didn't want to. My family lives in ATL and being a typical white family in Ga, his style of comic wouldn't always appeal, but to be honest I thought he bridged the gap between the races. He was all Bernie, nothing to hide and you gotta love a man for that. We will miss him very much.
Love from ATL,
The Trents

coffield3 · 08-09-2008, 11:13 AM

So young R.I.P

PrettyinPink55 · 08-09-2008, 11:14 AM

I logged onto AOL this morning, and this is the first thing I saw.

I am so sad to hear this. He was so young too!!

R.I.P Mr. Bernie Mac!!!! You will be missed!!!

Why does it seem like we've been losing so many of the greats lately??

DVDFreaker · 08-09-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink55

I logged onto AOL this morning, and this is the first thing I saw.

I am so sad to hear this. He was so young too!!

R.I.P Mr. Bernie Mac!!!! You will be missed!!!

Why does it seem like we've been losing so many of the greats lately??

I have no idea

This is one of the shocking celebrity deaths besides John Ritter and Heath Ledger

waichingliu81 · 08-09-2008, 11:25 AM

wow, i didn't expect this news at all. very tragic indeed

FoxTailMusic · 08-09-2008, 05:20 PM

This is very sad news. I didn't know he was in the hospital and I find out this morning that he passed away. R.I.P., Bernie. You will be missed!

tanquant · 08-10-2008, 06:31 AM

R.I.P. Bernie Too young to be gone. May heaven enjoy you now.We've had our time here on earth. You will be missed

08-09-2008, 09:38 AM	#1
Zoneboy Moderator Forum Veteran Rod Serling Fan Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: The Twilight Gallery or The Night Zone, Take Your Pick. Posts: 12,169	Bernie Mac has Passed Away Link Comedian and Chicago native Bernie Mac died early Saturday morning from complications due to pneumonia, his publicist confirmed. Mac, 50, had been hospitalized for about a week at Northwestern Hospital, according to his spokeswoman. A few years ago, Mac disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs. The comic born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough could cut an imposing figure. He stood six-foot-three, was built like a fullback and carried himself with a bouncer's reticence. But perhaps the strongest weapon in the Chicago comedian's arsenal was that voice, that amalgam of thought and a delivery that could rise like a tidal wave, outpace a Gatling gun and remained, to his last days, loud and unapologetic. He wasn't scared, he told us time and again, to tell anyone what he thought, to say what others were afraid to say. That fearlessness wasn't always welcome, considering Mac didn't get his big break until his 30s. But when he did, the comic skyrocketed to success in stand-up, television and the big screen. Bernie Mac Mac shared screen time with some of Hollywood's larger-than-life leading men, co-starring with Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in the "Oceans 11" remake and subsequent sequels. Most recently, Mac garnered attention for making unsavory comments at a Barack Obama benefit that the presumptive Democratic candidate had to distance himself from. Growing up on the South Side a hard-core White Sox fan, Mac discovered early on that he wanted to make a go at being a comedian. Before his 10th birthday, Mac was performing comedy standup, honing his skills on CTA trains and parks before graduating to well-known haunts like the Regal Theater and the Cotton Club. He came to a realization during those first years as a struggling comic: If he could kill in front of a black crowd, he could kill in any crowd. "Black audiences are hard," he told the New York Times in 2002. "You got to come with a little extra to satisfy them." He also learned that comedy isn't a lucrative business when you starting out. During those lean years in the 80s, Mac drove a Wonder Bread delivery truck to pay the bills. Life changed dramatically for Mac when he was 32. He won the Miller Lite comedy search that year and that performance took him to the standup stage, which ultimately led to regular performances on popular shows like HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." In a few short years, he was able to put a stamp on this tell-it-like-it-is brand of comedy that audiences had come to know him for. He was a hit on the stage, delivering sordid tales of his early life growing up on Chicago's South Side. Would be great to get a couple examples here His work hit home to the African American audience -- his aggressive, brash comedy had a down home feel to it, tackling everything from family life to black romantic relationships -- yet Mac was able to cross it over, connecting with a majority entertainment scene. "When I started in comedy in the clubs in 1977, blacks couldn't do certain clubs -- not because they were segregated. They just didn't want to put the [black comics] out there. In Los Angeles, the clubs would have a black night. People would say, 'Why don't you come by and do something?' I would say, 'I'm a comedian -- don't put a title on me.' Don't limit yourself. How you start is how you finish," he told the Tribune in 2007. "If you let people put tags on you, you'll never be able to remove them. You've got to make people respect you. Respect is bigger than dollars and cents." Mac got his respect and he gained national attention after his set on HBO's popular late-night series Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Decked out in a pair of jeans with his face illustrated, graffiti-style, on the right pants leg, Mac expounded on one taboo subject after another, from the benefits of snitching to his prowess in the bedroom. "I ain't scared of you [expletive]!" became his signature tagline. Many took note of the blue comic's performance, which later led to a bit part in 1992's "Mo' Money," and later an HBO Special, "Midnight Mac." In 1995, Mac earned a spot in the cult-classic "Friday," and the film helped Mac break out. His portrayal of Pastor Clever was one of the film's highlights, however small it was. He followed it up with bit roles in other films, including "Booty Call," and "Def Jam's: How to Be a Player." But he wanted more. Mac sowed the seeds for his success on a cloudy day in North Carolina while taping the 2000 Spike Lee concert film, "The Original Kings of Comedy." There, on a rain-soaked basketball court, buttressed by co-stars Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey, Mac issued a challenge to Hollywood: "Do I have a television show? Nah," Mac told the cameras. "Why? 'Cause you scared of me, Scared I'm a say something. You [expletive] right. Think I won't say something?!" A year later, Mac got his chance. "The Bernie Mac Show" debuted on Fox in November 2001, drawing critical acclaim, numerous awards, including two Emmy nominations for Mac and, most important, high ratings. Its premiere episode drew 11.4 million viewers. The second episode, which immediately followed the first, drew 12.4 million. For the next four years, Mac spoke to the America public--via a break in the fourth wall a la Dobie Gillis--with all the befuddlement of a 40-something taskmaster father lost in a sea of talk therapy and "Time Outs." "Now, America," Mac would often begin before going into a rant about undisciplined children, cuddling parents or, one of his favorite topics, the differences between black and white people. But in 2005, the show went off the air. Several reasons contributed to cancellation: The show's ratings had dropped, Mac was getting more lucrative offers from the movie studios. Before the 2000 concert film, Mac's biggest credit was a recurring role on "Moesha." But Mac's health was also a factor. In 2004, he halted production on the show while recovering from exhaustion. A year later, he disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs. In spite of that, his star has risen a great deal. In addition to the highly popular "Oceans" films, he co-starred with Ashton Kutcher in a reverse remake of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in 2005. Last spring, Mac said that he was hanging up his standup career, and instead focus more on movies. In 2007, he co-starred in "Ocean's Thirteen," "Pride" and had a role in the blockbuster "Transformers." Scheduled for release later this year is "Soul Men," with Samuel L. Jackson and was cast in "Old Dogs," with Robin Williams, which is due next year. Mac is survived by his wife Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je'Niece, a son-in-law and a granddaughter, Jasmine. __________________ Somewhere between the greed for money and sound judgment, the legends of country music were tossed aside for the outlandish sound they call country music today.

08-09-2008, 09:40 AM	#2
80sTrivia Senior Member Pop Culture Soothsayer Join Date: May 23, 2002 Location: The Tide Is High Posts: 5,631	I was just about to post the following, Zoneboy: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...,1521239.story __________________ Perfect Christmas Gifts for Pop Culture fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book! The Totally Awesome 80s TV Trivia Book

08-09-2008, 09:55 AM	#3
ThomasE Moderator Member Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: NYC at 123 Sesame Street getting down at the block party Posts: 6,876	I was about to post this as well. I cannot believe this has happened. One minute, I am watching the olympice on USA, the next minute, I am on MSM and getting this message. WOW! It is amazing what you could be doing one minute and all of the sudden, things change up on you. I have to get over this terrible news. __________________ Happy Birthday to all my neighbors on Sesame Street!!! I'm coming to the party!

08-09-2008, 10:19 AM	#4
EighteenMinutes Forum Regular It's comin' around. Join Date: Jun 30, 2006 Location: Middle-America Posts: 359	Yeah...just read about this. Sad news. __________________ "Maybe that's not exactly the way it happened. But that's the way it should have happened. And that's the way I like to remember it. If dreams and memories sometimes get confused, well, that's as it should be." -- The Wonder Years ("The Unnatural")

08-09-2008, 10:26 AM	#5
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Celebrity Super Milf...This Fall on ABC Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: Someplace playing footsie with Patty Posts: 46,818	So young, so tragic... __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3

08-09-2008, 10:30 AM	#6
Clint Eastwood Fan Forum Legend Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Behind the couch with Valerie Posts: 50,920	OMG. I used to be a big fan of the BMS. This is so sad. I'm just stunned. R.I.P. Bernie, __________________ Sonny Leave the drama at the door

08-09-2008, 10:36 AM	#7
Zoneboy Moderator Forum Veteran Rod Serling Fan Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: The Twilight Gallery or The Night Zone, Take Your Pick. Posts: 12,169	This was just a total and unexpected shock, I thought he was getting better and was scheduled to be released from the hospital soon. Bernie

08-09-2008, 10:45 AM	#8
jentrent First Time Poster Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2008 Location: ATL Posts: 1	My family and I loved the Bernie Mac show, and are broken hearted to hear of his passing. Bernie could make you laugh even when you didn't want to. My family lives in ATL and being a typical white family in Ga, his style of comic wouldn't always appeal, but to be honest I thought he bridged the gap between the races. He was all Bernie, nothing to hide and you gotta love a man for that. We will miss him very much. Love from ATL, The Trents

08-09-2008, 11:13 AM	#9
coffield3 Senior Member Pancakes? Join Date: Jul 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 7,165	So young R.I.P __________________ Roseanne Fan!! ღღღ

08-09-2008, 11:14 AM	#10
PrettyinPink55 Forum Veteran Don't Stop Believin'... Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 22,841	I logged onto AOL this morning, and this is the first thing I saw. I am so sad to hear this. He was so young too!! R.I.P Mr. Bernie Mac!!!! You will be missed!!! Why does it seem like we've been losing so many of the greats lately?? __________________ FOREVERWOOD FOREVER A GILMORE GIRL! ♥♥~PIP~♥♥

08-09-2008, 11:25 AM	#12
waichingliu81 Senior Member becki newton and michael urie Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 3,662	wow, i didn't expect this news at all. very tragic indeed

08-09-2008, 05:20 PM	#13
FoxTailMusic Frequent Poster 70s/80s sitcom fan Join Date: Apr 04, 2002 Location: Yep Posts: 43	This is very sad news. I didn't know he was in the hospital and I find out this morning that he passed away. R.I.P., Bernie. You will be missed! __________________ I love sitcoms!

08-10-2008, 06:31 AM	#15
tanquant Forum Regular Member Join Date: Jan 12, 2003 Posts: 820	R.I.P. Bernie Too young to be gone. May heaven enjoy you now.We've had our time here on earth. You will be missed

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