Bernie Mac died early Saturday from complications due to pneumonia, his publicist has confirmed. The Emmy-nominated comedian-actor was 50.
In the coming days, we’ll be paying tribute to his career, which began in comedy clubs in 1977, and continues with the fall movie Soul Men, costarring his friend Samuel L. Jackson. In the meantime, you can remember Mac here.
He always knew the secret of his success was his willingness to speak the truth about his life — without fear. When he was eight, and performing his first stand-up at a church function, the honesty earned him a spanking from his grandmother (whom he’d impersonated). In 2000, it garnered him a mainstream audience after the R-rated, Spike-Lee directed concert film The Original Kings of Comedy hit theaters. (One of the funniest routines ever?) And in 2001, it scored him a hit Fox sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show, which lasted five seasons. ”I want to speak directly to the audience,” Mac told EW, ”to say I’m like you — I’m frustrated, I’m not an expert, I don’t have a manual on parenting, I make mistakes, I’m selfish too. Now all of a sudden I have kids — they break stuff, they talk back, one kid pees on himself. It’s not a black show; everybody has these problems.”
Below, a clip from The Bernie Mac Show. After the jump, Mac’s revealing 2002 chat with Charlie Rose.
Bernie Mac on Charlie Rose: May 23, 2002 (skip to 23:00)
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so sad to hear about this. it’s so sudden. i really loved his show– it was universal. RIP Mac man. thoughts and prayers to his family.
When I first started out as a children’s librarian, I had doubts. I felt that I could not deal with the rude kids who came in because their parents would not deal with them. After watching Bernie Mac’s “My Sister’s Kids” routine in the movie The Original Kings Of Comedy, my doubts subsided. Dealing with kids can be a pain, but you have to have a sense of humor about it, and Mr. Mac made me realize that. “I know that look! That look means she wants to kill me! Bust a move!” lol. G-d bless you, sir.
As the cliche goes, “Heaven just got funnier”. Bernie was hilarious, but beneath the oft-wicked humor I suspect there was a marshmallow heart. My condolences go out to his family. He will be missed.
Bernie Mac’s heart was as big as his comedy. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will truly be missed. (insert sad face)
Really loved & enjoyed The Mac Man…
didn’t want to ever miss his show..he
has earned his place in the the STARS!God Bless You & your family..Thought & prayers are with you..The Smith’s
“WHO YA WIT !”
Currently, I am in shock. I’m extremley saddened by the news. I thought he was going to recover. He was a true talent and I am happy we were able to watch the Mac Man. We love you Bernie Mac and family. His wife and daughter will be in my prayers.
I loved all of your acted,you were sooo funny.you will be miss from the keene and harrell family. My love go out to your family.
With deepest sympathy on the lost of your loved one. Comedy won’t be the same but laughter will linger on in memories of all of us. “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” Leo Buscaglia
I LOVED HIM
I WANT TO SAY TO THE MAC FAMILY THAT I FEEL THE LOST OF MR.MAC HE WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED AND HIS FAMILY WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND SO WILL HE I WILL MISS HIM.BUT I AM A REALLY BIG FAN I LOVED HIS SHOW HE WAS VERY FUNNY AND HE WAS LOVED BY ALL HE MADE ME LAUGH WHEN I NEEDED A GOOD LAUGH AND WHEN I NEEDED CHEERING UP SO TO HIS FAMILY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US HAVE A PART OF YOUR FAMILY WHEN WE NEEDED HIM THE MOST.HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND LOVED BY ALL.
omg i’m in shock u never think of famous people leaving this world!!! i know he will keep god laughing 4ever. i love u bernie and i will always remember u.
He was a great person to see be so funny in everything he did, and he did it with so much talent, sad to see him go so soon, will miss you.
My deepest sympathies goes out to the Mac family doing this time. Bernie brighten my days after my illness and he will always be loved and missed. We needed some laughs upstairs and they knew he was the man for the job. Rest in Peace Bernie.
I offer heartfelt prayers to the family at this time. May comfort each of you and keep you as only He can sustain you in His peace. God bless
I was very much in shock awakening to the news of ‘Chicago’s Own MR. BERNIE MAC’ passing. He will be dearly missed. My prayers goes out to his family and friends for strength and courage during this time.
To the mac family all I wanna say is I feel ur lost because I was a very big fan of bernie mac I adore everything he brought 2 the comedy family and he 4eva remain in my heart.
I was sorry to hear the news this morning. Bernie seemed to always say it like he saw it. It seemed to me that he never really got over the bout of pneumonia after Ocean’s 11. He looked to me like he was swollen from prednesone ( a steroid precribed during treatment for pneumonia) during the last season of his show. My sympathies to his family for their premature loss.
I worked with Mr. Mac on “Head of State”. He was a true class act, professional, personable, and truly funny. It was a pleasure to be on set when he arrived. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
I actually had a chance to meet Bernie Mac when I was an intern for the Stern Show. He was a humble yet funny guy then, and on screen his movie roles were always hilarious. He was a true comedic genius. Definitely one of the funniest actors in showbiz. Even in weak movies, his roles always made them standout. RIP Bernie – you were a funny dude. -JR
we love you bernie mac, well miss you, rest in peace ,,,,,,
My prayers and thoughts are with Bernie’s family. I was a big fan!! I loved his show and all his movies. He always made everyone laugh. He will be missed by all!
One of my favorites, a great loss.
My deepest regards go out to the mac family. He was a good comedian and his fans are going to truly miss him. He will not be forgotten.
I hated so badly to hear of Bernie Mac’s death. He was so funny. The funniest thing about his show (The Bernie Mac show) was the way he would talk directly to the camera. It really made you feel like I was a part of the scene or my opinion counted even though he didn’t know me from Adam. We’ve all had similiar experiences as the ones on his show. He will be sorely be missed.
My heart is heavy with the knowledge of the passing of Bernie Mac. He was a true comedic genius and a wonderful person who didn’t hide what made him human but used it to give the world laughter at ourselves cause we too are without faults. I will miss him as will the world.
I salute this comedy genious
Our prayers go out to the MAC family. We will miss him. He was the true King of Comedy. Rest in Peace Bernie.
I hated when I heard that he had passed I wanted it to be a host so bad. This was the FUNNIEST King of Comedy that why he was last you always save the best for last
I know that it’s not in our power, but there are some people we just don’t want to see go yet. B-Mac is one of them. R.I.P
PEACE AND LOVE