With sadness comes the news that Bernie Mac died this morning from complications of pneumonia. He was 50.Bernard Jeffrey McCullough was a late bloomer in comedy. I first noticed him in the 1994 movie “House Party 3.”
His hit sitcom, “The Bernie Mac Show,” was one of the few TV shows about black folks that you could be proud to enjoy.
Below are a few minutes of Bernie Mac on “The Daily Show.” This clip is from 2001, when “The Original Kings of Comedy” was still hot. He had just begun work on “The Bernie Mac Show.”
I’m so glad he got to enjoy the sweet taste of show-business success.
Wow... Shocking news and an untimely passing indeed. I'll personally remember his performances in "Bad Santa" and "Guess Who." Thanks for the nice post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clip - so funny, so wonderful. RIP Bernie.
ReplyDeleteloved the clip; nice choice of a photo, too.
ReplyDeletepneumonia so does not have to be fatal. can't help but wonder why he couldn't be saved.
^ Perhaps I should've pointed out (as mentioned in the obit link) that Bernie Mac had existing lung problems; he was diagnosed with sarcardosis a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to see the news this morning. I always enjoyed Bernie Mac. The last thing I heard of Mac was them controversy when he spoke at an Obama rally. It kind of surprised me, because if you have Bernie Mac speak, you are going to get Bernie Mac.
ReplyDeleteI second your opinion of The Bernie Mac Show. It was truly outstanding, probably the best "family" show out there, and always "kept it real" without sinking to minstrelsy.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it never got the plaudits it deserved.
I feel genuinely sad today.
FWIW, The Bernie Mac Show and Everybody Hates Chris are the only shows I can think of that feature black families that I don't think of as "black" shows.
ReplyDeleteYes has made me sad sense I heard this morning. The irony is I read he was in the hospital for pneumonia and shrugged it off, didn't even think anything about it. Bernie is fighter he'll be fine I thought.
ReplyDeleteTo be truthful I was more worried if Morgan Freeman would recover from his accident.
He will be missed for both his blue comedic genius and he great family wholesomeness with that Chi-town twist.
-OG
I was sad to hear this. Just a couple days ago, his publicist was saying he would be out of the hospital in a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteHe was always my favorite performance on The Original Kings of Comedy and my first time seeing him was on HBO's Def Comedy Jame.
He will be missed
UBM in 2007 Mac told David Letterman on CBS' "Late Show" that he planned to retire soon. "I'm going to still do my producing, my films, but I want to enjoy my life a little bit," Mac told Letterman. "I missed a lot of things, you know. Man! how sad a day it is Bernie will be miss.
ReplyDeleteUBM will you stop by my place and pick up your award, Please.
My sister called me the other day and told me he had died, well, that was the rumor. I checked the net to confirm it, but found nothing.
ReplyDeleteShe told me again today, and sadly, this time it was true. When I googled the story, right below it was one about how he was going to be released from the hospital!
I loved The Bernie Mac Show. Rest in peace "Mac Man."
The older I get the harder it is for death to shock me, but this one shocked me. What I remember most was what a master craftsman he was--like some of the old Borscht Belt comics I saw on the Ed Sullivan show, or like any great longtime musician, he had spent so many years polishing his work that he came across as being utterly relaxed while still being totally in control. This is a real loss.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Bernie Mac Show and Bernie himself. America, I am so sad right now :(
ReplyDeleteWhat I remember most was what a master craftsman he was--like some of the old Borscht Belt comics I saw on the Ed Sullivan show...
ReplyDeleteEstiv, in watching some of Bernie's standup on YouTube today, I'm noticing a touch of Rodney Dangerfield in his delivery that I hadn't noticed before.
I remember back in 1994 my brother had rented House Party 3 and it was like the longest 90 minutes of our lives (one interesting about it was David Edwards, the first Real World house mate ever kicked out, was in it).
ReplyDeleteExcept when Bernie Mac was on screen. We had no idea who this older guy was, but we knew we were in the presence of someone special. There's a scene where he says, "You insulted my mama, now I gotta CUT YOU. THAT'S THE RULE!" The delivery of the line is so... perfect I still remember it to this day.
I'll never forget his story about why he became a comedian, either.
Godspeed, Bernie, wherever you are, I hope you're having fun.
Hello there! {waves}
ReplyDeleteIt is so very sad that Bernie passed on... a young man who was still attempting to branch out into new avenues professionally... he will be deeply missed....
He added a lot to the comedy circuit and many comics who came after him were imitators...
I do hope that he is resting with God...
Thank you for mentioning him with respect and admiration...
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
I was so saddened by the news especially because he was so young. Thank you for honoring him.
ReplyDeleteHis specific ailment was Sarcoidosis,which many people have never heard of.
ReplyDeleteMay he RIP and may his family pick up the pieces and move on in peace.