Comedian Bernie Mac is Dead

[Frank Cannon]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/1099622,xmac080908.article

Comedian, South Sider Bernie Mac dies at 50

August 9, 2008Recommend (149)

FROM STAFF REPORTS
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

Comedian Bernie Mac, whose career began in Chicago's comedy clubs, died at Northwestern Memorial hospital early Saturday morning, according to Sun-Times columnist Stella Foster. He was 50.
(AP file)


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What a shame. I thought he was very funny.

[kedrys]

1. Aw, that sucks.

I liked him too. He was great in the "Ocean" movies, and his stand-up was side-splitting.

RIP, Bernie.

[NJmaverick]

2. I was shocked and saddened to hear this

I liked him and he was way to young

[realisticphish]

3. wow

that's sad when pretty good people go so young.

[MrCoffee]

4. Whoa. That sucks.

He was a funny guy.

[Haole Girl]

5. Very sad

50 is too young. :-(

[NashVegas]

6. :(

Thanks for the laughs, Bernie.

[jobycom]

7. Dude meant a lot to me.

His series was smart, something you wouldn't expect from the promos. It reminded me so much of my life and my family. I grew up with two foster brothers. I have an alcoholic sister who abandoned her kids, and though they were raised by my mother, I was involved when I could be. I remember growing up hating to watch most tv, because nothing looked like my life. It always seemed a mockery of my life, as though it were telling me I wasn't valid, or that I was just redneck trash because I didn't resemble the normal people I saw on tv.

So I loved his show. Not only did it accurately portray a different type of family, but the father's struggles to find the right answers in situations society just doesn't have good advice for rung true. There was one episode that always stuck with me. His son wanted to buy a telescope, and Bernie wouldn't let him, so the sun ran away and bought it anyway. They had a neighborhood search to find the kid, but couldn't. When they got back home, he was sitting on the roof with his new telescope. Bernie was furious, and climbed out to scream at the kid for all the trouble he had caused, but before he could, the kid started explaining tearfully that he couldn't see his mother's building. His mother was in Chicago, and his son had wanted the telescope to see her building from where they were. Bernie's anger disappeared as he realized his son's suffering was worse than the disobediance, and he reassured his son, instead of scolding.

Most comedians and actors and artists have practiced their trade for so long they lose touch with the real world, falling into stereotypes and cliches that people expect, or creating such intellectual routines that they are trapped into non-realistic presentations. Bernie Mac never lost touch with the ground. His was one of the most human sitcoms I've ever seen.

So long, Bernie. Damn, it's just not fair.

[Missy Vixen]

8. This just isn't fair

He was hilarious, and I loved his show.

Goodnight, Bernie. :cry:

Julie

[MountainLaurel]

9. Too, too young n/t

[Taverner]

10. Fuck! Another drug-resistant case of Pneumonia

We need to start working up some antibiotic alternatives quick!

RIP Bernie!!!

[Reverend_Smitty]

11. It's pretty freakin scary

you wouldn't think a 50 year old would die of pneumonia these days...this is really sad

[ghostsofgiants]

12. Damn, I used to be a big fan of his. That sucks.

[Iggo]

13. Wow, 50. That sucks.

That was one funny dude. I really really really liked his TV show, the one where he'd sit in his den and talk shit about his kids straight to the camera. That was genius. Fifty is waaaay too young to die. Damn shame.

[ellisonz]

14. NOOOOOOO!

:-(

[Drunken Irishman]

15. :(

[VenusRising]

16. That's so sad.

Godspeed, Bernie.

:cry:

[FredStembottom]

17. I loved that Bernie Mac show!

I sometimes think that that was one of the most realistic families ever on TV. And not "realistic" meaning that they confront every problem ever imagined or that they are ridiculously cynical.
Realistic like our real families. I have never seen a TV show present kids like they really are: 9 year old boys are really, really squirrelly!
13 year old girls just LOVE you to death until 2 seconds later when they just HATE you!!!!
Just so enjoyable to see the real thing finally come to TV.

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. Holey moley!

That was abrupt! And much too young!

Rest in peace, dude.