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 died at Northwestern Memorial hospital early Saturday morning. He was 50.
The columnist also said she was deeply saddened to receive such a phone call just an hour after Mac was pronounced dead.
"It brought tears to my eyes because Bernie Mac has always been my all-time favorite entertainer and comedian. It pains me to have to report that," Foster said during a phone interview on Saturday morning.
On Friday, a spokeswoman for the actor, whose real name is, Bernard McCullough, said that he had been responding well to treatment for the illness.
Publicist Danica Smith said Thursday in a statement that Mac's condition is ''stable.'' Smith first announced on August 1st that Mac was hospitalized in Chicago.
Smith has said the pneumonia isn't related to an inflammatory lung disease Mac also has. That condition has been in remission since 2005.
Foster noted that last weekend, several web sites reported wrongly that the comedian died.
Mac made waves last month with off-color jokes during a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
The comedian starred in the critically acclaimed Fox television series ''The Bernie Mac Show.'' His film credits include roles in the ''Ocean's Eleven'' franchise.
Foster says she was remembers Bernie's comedic beginnings through his show, "Midnight Mac," which aired for four shows on HBO and was taped in Chicago in 1995.
"It was a variety entertainment show," she said, "He even had dancers called Macaroni's. That was my first exposure to how talented Bernie Mac was. And after that show, that's when Hollywood started beating down his door."
The actor's upcoming movies include "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer; and "Soul Men" with Samuel L. Jackson and Isaac Hayes.
There is no word on whether public services will be held.
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 3332
Location: My only friend, the end
chancePosted:
Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:52 am
RIP Bernie Mac. My sympathies to his family. They must be devastated. 50 is way to young.
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 2773
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas
olympicPosted:
Sat Aug 09, 2008 10:23 pm
R.I.P. ....bernie......"The world just got a little less funny.
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1651
resignedPosted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:58 am
Rest In Peace
Click your heels together...
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 27555
Location: "Onboard" pathenry's desk
gwenPosted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:19 pm
Bernie Mac's Death: What Happened?
By Hilary Shenfeld and Ivory Jeff Clinton
Originally posted Saturday August 09, 2008 07:00 PM EDT
Bernie Mac’s wife and daughter were with him until the very end, says the late comic's sister-in-law in a personal and touching interview with PEOPLE that took place Saturday.
Speaking of a heartbreaking moment between her younger sister, Rhonda, and the 50-year-old actor-comedian – who succumbed to complications from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital at 2 a.m. Saturday – Mary Ann Grossett says that the night before Mac died, "He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe.
"He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."
Rhonda, Mac’s wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece, were with him when he died. "[The doctors] were working on him," says Grossett. "They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time."
Prior to that, the couple had last communicated on July 31. "He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out," says Grossett.
Lung Disease Contributed
The sister-in-law says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. "He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission," she says. "But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from."
She reveals that Mac – having trouble breathing and running a fever – was actually hospitalized on July 24, eight days before the date given for his admittance. The actor was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator.
"He was critically ill when he was in the hospital," says Gossett. "He was in intensive care the whole time."
She adds that doctors kept the star sedated, although he was conscious at times and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.
His Wife's Reaction
Of her widowed sibling (like Mac, Rhonda is 50), Grossett says, "She’s devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her."
She says of the couple's enduring union, "They had 30 years of marriage. That's unprecedented in today's time, particularly for celebrities. That brings joy to her. They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his side to the very end."
Recalling the couple's early years, when they were still in their teens, Grossett says, "When they started dating, he said, 'Girl, you better come on board this train, because I'm going to be rich.' And her response was, 'Okay,' and they were married. That's how he charmed her, with his sense of humor."
She adds, "When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19. They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage.
'She's Going to Miss Him Dearly'
"What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30 years – and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She's going to miss him dearly."
Mac’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.
Samuel L. Jackson s speaking out about his friend and co-star Bernie Mac calling him "one of the preeminent comedians of our generation."
The two co-star in the upcoming movie 'Soul Men' and Jackson calls Mac's performance in the film "his finest cinematic acting achievement."
In a statement, Jackson also said: "It goes without saying that Bernie was one of the preeminent comedians of our generation. He was also an attentive husband, a great father & loving grandfather. I feel blessed to have shared years of friendship with Bernie Mac and I'm honored to have finally co-starred with him in what I consider to be his finest cinematic acting achievement. My sincere prayer is that his family will be comforted by the warmth of love from all of us who knew and respected this man."
In 'Soul Men,' due in theaters in November, Jackson and Mac play estranged soul-singing legends who agree to participate in a reunion performance at the famed Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader.
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1651
olympicPosted:
Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:28 pm
Brad Pitt to Bernie Mac: 'You Are Missed'
Like his 'Oceans' co-stars Brad Pitt is mourning the loss of funnyman Bernie Mac who died Saturday from complications of pneumonia.
"I lament the loss of a ferociously funny and hardcore family man," he says. "My thoughts are with [his wife] Rhonda and their family. Bernie Mac you are already missed."
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1651
olympicPosted:
Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:09 pm
Be aware of symptoms of sarcoidosis
LIKE MOST of you, I was shocked to hear of the unexpected death of actor and stand-up comedian Bernie Mac. According to published reports, the 50-year-old Chicago native died of complications from pneumonia. It was also reported that he suffered from a condition called sarcoidosis.
What, pray tell, is sarcoidosis?
According to the American Lung Association, sarcoidosis is a disease that causes inflammation of body tissues. Characteristically the swelling causes small lumps called granulomas that can develop either inside or outside of the body. The condition can attack any organ, but in 90 percent of the cases the lungs are involved, although the disease can affect the skin, lymph nodes and eyes.
Causes
Sarcoidosis is often asymptomatic and researchers have yet to discover the cause. Experts believe a compromised immune system plus either environmental, bacterial, or viral triggers may cause it.
Symptoms may include:
* Dry cough
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* A vague feeling of discomfort and fatigue
* Weight loss
* Red eyes
* Fever
* Small red bumps
* Arthritis
Sarcoidosis affects people of all ages and sexes but is primarily an adult illness, appearing in people 20 to 40 years old.
Paradoxically, in the United States the disease is more prevalent among African-Americans than Caucasians (35.5 cases per 100,000 for African-Americans and 10.9 per 100,000 for whites). African-American women, however, have the absolute highest rate of sarcoidosis in the U.S. and suffer from the disease twice as often as African-American men.
Is there a cure?
There is no known cure for the disease, and it is typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids). The drug Prednisone is most frequently prescribed to treat the disease, but the long-term side effects can be serious and include high blood pressure, cataracts, diabetes, increased risk of infection, weight gain and osteoporosis.
Good news
Overall, the majority of people diagnosed with sarcoidosis recover completely without major health problems. However, about half experience some permanent organ damage, and in extreme cases the disease can lead to death.
Protect yourself
Although there is no known cure for sarcoidosis, with proper management it can be treated and perhaps prevented. To decrease your chances of contracting sarcoidosis and other lung diseases, avoid secondhand smoke and obvious triggers like chemicals, dust and other irritants. Know the warning signs and get regular medical checkups. *
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1651
olympicPosted:
Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:09 am
D.L. Hughley to Speak at Bernie Mac Memorial
Funnyman D.L. Hughley says he will speak at Bernie Mac's memorial on Saturday in Chicago, which will be held at noon at the 10,000-seat House of Hope for fans and friends of the late star.
"I hate funerals. I don't like going to church. I feel like Bernie kind of punk'd me on this one," Hughley said during his stand-up comedy this week at the Tempe Improv comedy club in Arizona, USA Today reports via The Arizona Republic.
"I thought, like we all do, that things would get better and I'd get around and get to talk to him," he said. "But I didn't, and I didn't get to tell him how much I loved him."
Mac died last Saturday at age 50 of complications from pneumonia. Donations in his honor may be sent to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. 9th St., Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60605, according to his rep.
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1651
olympicPosted:
Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:11 am
Stars Gather For Bernie Mac Memorial
Stars like Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson were just a couple of A-list stars on hand for the touching memorial for late comedian Bernie Mac, held today in Mac's hometown of Chicago.
According to The Chicago Tribune, thousands of friends, family and fans attended the service where everyone from Mayor Richard Daley to his 'The Original Kings of Comedy' co-star Cedric the Entertainer spoke to the congregation.
"This dude is a very popular guy," Cedric said of Mac. "You know y'all were like, "let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town."
While not in attendance, Oprah Winfrey, Mac's 'Ocean's' co-star Andy Garcia and Senator Barack Obama did send their condolences.
"He made us laugh and laugh hard," read Obama's statement. "Bernie Mac will be sorely missed."
Other stars there to pay their respects were Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley.
Bernie Mac, who suffered from sarcoidosis, died last Saturday at the age of 50.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
