Actor, comedian Bernie Mac, dies at 50

August 9, 2008Recommend (4)

Comedian Bernie Mac died at Northwestern Memorial hospital early Saturday morning, according to Sun-Times Columnist, Stella Foster. He was 50.

Though the cause of death has not been confirmed, Mac had been hospitalized recently for pneumonia. Foster said that she received calls early Saturday morning from a close friend of the Mac family, confirming the reports of Mac's death.

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Comedian Bernie Mac died at Northwestern Memorial hospital early Saturday morning. He was 50.
(AP file)



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Stella Foster: Get well, Bernie
The columnist also said she was deeply saddened to receive such a phone call just an hour after Mac was pronounced dead.

"It brought tears to my eyes because Bernie Mac has always been my all-time favorite entertainer and comedian. It pains me to have to report that," Foster said during a phone interview on Saturday morning.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for the actor, whose real name is, Bernard McCullough, said that he had been responding well to treatment for the illness.

Publicist Danica Smith said Thursday in a statement that Mac's condition is ''stable.'' Smith first announced on August 1st that Mac was hospitalized in Chicago.

Smith has said the pneumonia isn't related to an inflammatory lung disease Mac also has. That condition has been in remission since 2005.

Foster noted that last weekend, several web sites reported wrongly that the comedian died.

Mac made waves last month with off-color jokes during a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The comedian starred in the critically acclaimed Fox television series ''The Bernie Mac Show.'' His film credits include roles in the ''Ocean's Eleven'' franchise.

Foster says she was remembers Bernie's comedic beginnings through his show, "Midnight Mac," which aired for four shows on HBO and was taped in Chicago in 1995.

"It was a variety entertainment show," she said, "He even had dancers called Macaroni's. That was my first exposure to how talented Bernie Mac was. And after that show, that's when Hollywood started beating down his door."

The actor's upcoming movies include "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer; and "Soul Men" with Samuel L. Jackson and Isaac Hayes.

There is no word on whether public services will be held.

From Sun-Times staff, AP reports

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

OMG!!!!!

ARE YOU FUCKING 4 REAL?!!!!
[Edited 8/9/08 5:13am]

okay,Im literally crying and in shock
After the rumor I was really relieved!
R.I.P...wow

Too young...



This must be really recent too, IMDB and Wikipedia haven't been updated yet.
[Edited 8/9/08 5:16am]

That's terrible!! R.i.p.

Uh...I'm not seeing any other reports of it yet...just how recent is this?

purplesweat said:

I only see the Chicago Sun writing about it 15 min ago.
[Edited 8/9/08 5:30am]

Im hoping its fake but IDK...something is telling me its not this time.
Wiki is updated

I hope it's just a rumor.

Look aT THIS
http://www.google.com/sea...ie+mac+die

Dayclear said:

Those are all several days old. We can just wait and see. But would they publish that story if it wasn't confirmed?

Time will tell

I haven't seen anything on the cable news channels.
[Edited 8/9/08 5:39am]

and now the Chicago Times article is gone....IDK what's going on..
I got a call this morning from my Mom's who is in the hair salon and she asked if i heard it and right away i told her that everyday people is killing him off, but she said check online and i found that article and it was only 28 mins old
[Edited 8/9/08 5:48am]

Holy fuck

So I just gasped for like 30 seconds - I don't see this reported anywhere else. WTF???? I really really REALLY hope this is another fucking rumor

Its on Cnn.com



(CNN) -- Comic actor Bernie Mac died early Saturday of complications from pneumonia, according to a family member and his publicist. He was 50.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/S...index.html


I would really like to believe its not true

why are they playing with our emotions
I really shed tears 4 this dude!

I really hope he isn't....

ThreadCula said:

okay...bout...2...cry...again
I had hope

OMG, I can't believe it...



Way, WAY too soon... damn

fuck, Yahoo has it now too. It's true

http://news.yahoo.com/s/a...bernie_mac


& MSNBC...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26108167
[Edited 8/9/08 6:43am]

I can't believe this. So sad.

I need to go watch my Kings of Comedy DVD today in tribute.

R.I.P.

i liked him in the Oceans' Trilogy.

may his soul rest in peace.

I watch his show everyday,man...its so odd that somebody so funny and full of life is gone.Lord...

PleasurePrinciple said:

Me too. It's crazy when you KNOW about a celebrity and they die....crazy.....

OMG No! I'm watching Fox News alert now. Such a shock!

My condolences to his family this is shocking and so sad.

We love you Bernie.... you will be missed.