Public Memorial Held for Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac was remembered by family, friends and thousands of fans at a public memorial, reports E! News. Mac died one week ago from complications with pneumonia at the age of 50.

Some stars to pay tribute to the late actor/comedian were Chris Rock, Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor Samuel L. Jackson – who all delivered emotional speeches.

Mac’s fellow Original Kings of Comedy – Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and DL Hughley – sat next to each other, breaking down in tears during the service. However, once on stage, the group remembered the Mac Man with funny memories.

“This dude is a very popular guy,” said Cedric. “You know y’all were like ‘let me get four tickets to the funeral!’ He’s still the hottest ticket in town.”

Oprah Winfrey, Senator Barack Obama and Andy Garcia all sent written condolences.


Stars Pay Tribute to Bernie Mac

As word spreads that comedian actor Bernie Mac has died, tributes are pouring in from the funny man’s friends and colleagues.

Chris Rock issued the following statement to E! News: “Bernie Mac was one of the best and funniest comedians to ever live but that was the second best thing he did. Bernie was one of the greatest friends a person could have. Losing him is like losing 12 people because he absolutely filled up any room he was in. I’m gonna miss the Mac Man.”

Co-star Carl Reiner, who starred with Mac in all three “Oceans 11” movies, had these words to say: “It’s a tremendous loss because of his age and the fact that he was such a vital original human being. When I use the word ‘original’ I really mean it. He was like no other person I knew. He lived his life to the fullest even when we were on the set when we did Oceans. He had his own little apartment and he cooked and invited people to lunch everyday and he had food that was for everybody. He made very exotic things. His conversations were always different that any conversations I had with anyone else. They were very family oriented he talked about his wife and children with such love and it’s very hard to believe that he’s not with us anymore.”

Mac’s other co-stars George Clooney says: “The world just got a little less funny. He will be missed dearly,” while Brad Pitt expresses his words: “I lament the loss of a ferociously funny and hardcore family man. My thoughts are with Rhonda and their family. Bernie Mac, you are already missed.”

Bernie Mac died Saturday morning due complications from pneumonia. The actor was 50.


Update: Bernie Mac Dies From Pneumonia Complications At 50


Bernie Mac, who appeared in such films as the “Ocean’s Eleven” trilogy and starred in the Peabody Award-winning “The Bernic Mac Show,” died Saturday morning at the age of 50.

“Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital,” his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement.

Mac was hospitalized for pneumonia on Aug. 1 but was reported to have been in stable condition on Thursday.

He had been previously diagnosed with the immune disorder sarcoidosis, but it had been in remission since 2005 and was not related to the pneumonia, Smith said.

The Chicago-born Mac first achieved widespread fame as a standup comedian and was one of “The Original Kings of Comedy” in the 2000 documentary of the same name.

He went on to star in the Fox TV series “The Bernie Mac Show,” which revolved around a man’s adventures raising his sister’s three children, from 2001 to 2006. Besides winning a presitigous Peabody Award in 2002, the sitcom earned Mac two Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations for acting.

He also appeared in such movies as the popular “Ocean’s Eleven” series, “Guess Who” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”

Recently, he had been working on the TV series “Starting Under” as well as the films “Soul Men,” due out later this year, and “Old Dogs,” set to be released April 2009.

Mac is survived by his wife, their daughter, a son-in-law and a granddaughter.


Actor Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50


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.


Bernie Mac Passes Away

Oceans 11 star Bernie Mac has passed away due to complications from a recent battle with Pneumonia. He was 50 years old.

Mac, who suffered from sarcoidosis, was admitted to a Chicago area hospital August 1st and was expected to make a full recovery.

Story is still developing.


Bernie Mac Hospitalized

Funnyman Bernie Mac is in the hospital, undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

According to E! News, the comedian’s publicist Danica Smith released the following statement:

“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, has been by her husband’s side with him at the hospital.

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

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

Mac is well known for his role in “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Ocean’s 11,” “Transformers” and “Charlie’s Angel: Full Throttle.”


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