Bernie Mac Dies at age 50
The sad news was confirmed this morning by Bernie Mac’s agent and publicist, Danica Smith.
Hospitalized for severe pneumonia since August 1st, the actor and executive producer of The Bernie Mac Show was at first responding well to treatment. He later experienced complications and developped a serious chest infection, which lead to his death earlier this morning.
According to People magazine, Bernie Mac’s pneumonia “is not related to Mac’s diagnosis of sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in organs such as the lungs or lymph nodes.” Bernie Mac had been diagnosed with the disease over 20 years ago but did not have any symptoms since 2005.
Born Bernard Jeffrey McCollough in Chicago in October 1957, Bernie Mac made his first debut as a movie star in 1992 with a small role in Mo’ Money. He also played in House Party 3 (1994), Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) and Life (1999) starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, among many other movies.
His biggest success was without a doubt his own show, The Bernie Mac Show, which aired between 2001 and 2006 on FOX.
Bernie Mac leaves behind his wife Rhonda, who he’s been married to since 1974, and their only daughter, Dr. Je’Niece McCollough.