Sad news coming out of Chicago this morning; Bernie Mac has died. Mac had been in the hospital for the past week battling pneumonia. The 50-year-old comedian and star of Fox's The Bernie Mac Show had previously battled sarcoidosis, an immune system disorder that can affect the lungs, but that disease was said to have been in remission.Rumors regarding the severity of Mac's illness swirled around the internet last weekend when a family member reportedly said that his condition was "very, very critical." However, Mac's publicist came out on Thursday and said that her client's condition was "stable."
In addition to his TV work, Mac was probably best known for co-starring with George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean's 11 and its subsequent sequels. The Bernie Mac show ran for five seasons on Fox before it ended in 2006. I always enjoyed his Cliff Huxtable-as-a-movie-star take on The Bernie Mac Show as well as the different comedic sensibility he brought to the table in the Ocean's movies. Mac had a lot of comedy left in him, and I'm sorry to see him go.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-09-2008 @ 10:23AM
xnifex said...
What's with the good comedians kicking the bucket lately?
RIP Bernie Mac.
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8-09-2008 @ 10:37AM
SGT GARY said...
ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND CLASSIC SOUL GROUP BLUE MAGIC WE EXTEND OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO THE BERNIE MAC FAMILY...BERNIE WAS A GREAT FRIEND AND WONDERFUL TALENT AND WILL BE SORELY MISSED....GOD BLESS...
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8-09-2008 @ 10:44AM
Christopher said...
He'll be missed.
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8-09-2008 @ 11:06AM
gina said...
I really didn't know too much about Bernie Mac but I saw his passion in acting and I saw how talented he was when he would do comedy shows. I must admit that when I learned of his death I was a little shocked i felt a sadness in my heart. I wish his family and closest friends all the best, may God he guide you all through this time of turbulence. Believe this he is in heaven and i'm sure he has reunited with loved ones who have also passed. i'm also sure he has all of heaven in an uproar. when he was alive he had the world in an uproar now it's time for experience his talent.
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8-09-2008 @ 11:43AM
lucyfan62 said...
This is shocking news! Wasn't he about to start work on a new show for Fox???
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8-09-2008 @ 12:30PM
Gordon Werner said...
wow. this is a real shame.
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8-12-2008 @ 5:00PM
Trish said...
I am heartbroken over this loss. I loved Bernie Mac's humor, he brought his talent to his show, as well as to the movies he appeared in. He will be sorely missed...but I know he's at rest now. RIP and God Bless you Bernie Mac...condolences to his family and friends.
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8-09-2008 @ 12:55PM
Sunshine Dunkirk Md said...
This is devasting news. My family am I are a huge fan of Bernie Mac. Loved to watched him in whatever show he was present in. He was a talented man, could never bored you. Just the facial expressions would make you laugh. Bernie Mac will truly be miss!
My heart and blessings goes out to the family.
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8-09-2008 @ 1:19PM
Liz said...
This is very sad. :(
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8-09-2008 @ 1:20PM
Alicia said...
Whaaa....
My thoughts are with his family!
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8-09-2008 @ 1:44PM
pinkangelsad1aol.com said...
Its truly sad to lose such a talent , rest in peace and God Bless your family and comfort them thru this terrible loss.
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8-09-2008 @ 2:11PM
Adrienne said...
Bernie Mac! Another great talent that has been lost to the world but, gained to the heavens. As it was here on earth, I am quite sure the angels will forever be smiling. As another Chicagoan, I would like to say may God keep blessing you. You have made me laugh, you have made me cry. But, most of all, you have made me truly believe that no matter how rough it is growing up, you make your own life. We will truly miss you Bernie. My deepest condolences to the McCullough family and closest friends during your time of grief. But, stay strong because he is now in a way better place. He is gone now because God felt that Bernie shouldn't suffer no longer. Once again, God bless you, Bernie, and your family. We all loved you but God love you more!
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8-09-2008 @ 8:42PM
ac said...
Anyone else notice that alot of celebrities have died relatively young (Mac was only 50, so was Russert, Ledger was in his late 20s or early 30s) this year. I'm also going to add Carlin to that list because he was one of those guys you thought would never die.
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8-09-2008 @ 2:17PM
gina said...
hi i loved bernie mac and also his show . He was the best funniest guy ever i aubslotly loved him. but he is in a better place now [in heaven]i love u berny mac.ps he wasASOME also and cute!even thoe i am a kid after school and maby i had a bad day he would perk me right up and make me crack up. and for his family if u read this i am so sorry for your loss he was a great man but now he is not suffering and he is a angel waching over you . a.k.
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8-09-2008 @ 2:55PM
Oreo said...
Shit, this just came out of no where.
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8-09-2008 @ 3:28PM
Adam said...
I'm sad his last performance at an Obama campaign event ended in controversy. The man was a genius, and he got chastized because some people felt his jokes were inappropriate. Most good jokes are inappropriate because at their best they simply hold a mirror to society and say "here you are, as a society, like it or not." I had a philosophy professor in undergrad who argued that comedians are modern day philosophers. That being said, Mac has to be considered one of the best, if not the best modern philosophers out there. Now I'll just sit back and laugh at his musings which are so true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2MSQEQIDGk
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8-11-2008 @ 2:15PM
Dan said...
Ever seen "History of the World: Part I"? It's a Mel Brooks film (hilarious one at that) where one of the characters is a "Stand-Up Philosopher" in the Roman Empire...he is a comedian, but comedy and philosophy are only a laugh apart.
Bernie Mac will be missed.
8-09-2008 @ 4:06PM
Carita said...
This is devastating to all of us, you will be missed Mac.You are the best. My prays go out to the family, stay strong for each other.Everyone in haven has the last laugh.
I love you Mac.
Carita, from New Orleans
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8-09-2008 @ 9:50PM
Rosey said...
Man, this is sad, he was just a real talent and very funny man. He will be sorely missed.
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8-10-2008 @ 6:23AM
bruce said...
In "House" it is never sarcoidosis - always one of the diagnoses that's quickly discredited. So, if Dr. House had been there, Bernie Mac would still be alive. Too bad Bernie never did any soap opera work.
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