Bernie Mac – the comedian who appeared in such films as Ocean’s Eleven and Bad Santa – died early this morning from complications due to pneumonia. He was 50 years old.

Mac, who also starred in The Bernie Mac Show, was admitted to a Chicago area hospital August 1 and was expected to make a full recovery.

Earlier this week, the actor’s publicist said, “Mr. Mac is responding well to treatment and will be released soon. He asked that his privacy and that of his family is respected while he gets well.”

Mac’s wife, Rhonda McCullough, had been by her husband’s side with him at the hospital.

“He’s doing great and hopes to get out soon,” Smith said earlier this week. “He’s Bernie — he’s one of the best guys you’ll meet.”

The star’s pneumonia was not related to his 2005 diagnosis of sarcoidosis — an auto-immune disease that causes inflammation in organs such as the lungs or lymph nodes.






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