Bernie Mac
October 5, 1957 – August 9, 2008
Pioneering Comedian. Actor. Producer. Author. Humanitarian
He is an American comedian and actor. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined fellow comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L. Hughley in the film The Original Kings of Comedy. After briefly hosting the HBO show Midnight Mac, Mac appeared in several films in smaller roles. His most noted film roles were as Frank Catton in the 2001 remake of Ocean’s 11 and as the title character of Mr. 3000. He was the star of his eponymous show, which ran from 2001 through 2006, earning him two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Mac’s other films included starring roles in The Players Club, Head of State, Bad Santa, Guess Who, Pride, and Soul Men.
The Bernie Mac show
The Bernie Mac Show, which was loosely based on his own life, premiered in 2001 and went on to make Bernie a great success. The Bernie Mac Show garnered him a Peabody Award, NAACP Image Award and several Emmy Nominations. His character, “Uncle Bernie” was even ranked #47 in TV Guide’s List of the “50 Greatest TV Dads Of All Time.”
Bernard Jeffery McCullough born October 5, 1957 as the second child of Mary McCullough and Jeffery Harrison, who had already made their life transition. Bernard or “Bernie”, as he was affectionately named, grew up in the gang-ridden Englewood Community of Chicago. Always being a leader and not a follower, however, he gained the respect of most of the gang members without ever joining. He was forever the clown and always known for making people laugh. He accepted Jesus Christ at a young age and attended Burning Bush Missionary Baptist Church.
Bernard attended Chicago Vocational High School, where he met the love of his life, Rhonda Gore. They dated for two years before they were married on September 17, 1977. The following year they welcomed their daughter, Je’Niece.
At the very young age of four, Bernard realized his life’s purpose. He felt a passion to bring laughter to the world. His motivation? He was awoken by seeing his mother laugh at Bill Cosby in the midst of crying and professed “Mama I’m gonna be a comedian so maybe you never have to cry again.”
Bernard took on many different jobs prior to being recognized in his comedy career. Before pursuing comedy full time, he would be a truck driver, restaurant manager, mover, basketball coach, and Wonder Bread delivery man among other things.
His big break came in 1990 when he won first place with a remarkable performance in the Miller Lite Comedy Search. From that point, his popularity spread, and he garnered attention prompting Russell Simmons to give him a spot on his groundbreaking show Def Comedy Jam. Bernard’s first stage appearance was so well received he was invited back to perform a second time. From that moment on, the Mac Man was a phenomenon. He would soon go on tour as the opening act for Chaka Khan, Barry White, the Whispers and many other performers.
Bernie made his film debut with the release of Mo’ Money in 1992. His breakthrough performance, however, came in his role as Pastor Cleaver in Ice Cube’s hit movie, Friday (1995). Following that role, he went on to work on many other films. His credits include Who’s The Man (1993), Above The Rim (1994), House Party 3 (1994), Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood (1996), Get On The Bus (1996), Don King: Only in America (1997), B.A.P.S. (1997), Booty Call (1997), How To Be A Player (1998), The Players Club (1998), Life (1999), Ocean’s II (2001), What’s The Worst That Could Happen (2001), Head Of State (2003), Bad Santa (2003), Charlie’s Angles Full Throttle (2003), Mr. 3000, Ocean 12 (2004), Guess Who (2005), Ocean’s 13, Pride and Transformers (2007). He was also seen in his final films, Soul Men (2008), Madagascar 2 (2008) and Old Dogs (2009). He even managed to add “Author” to his list of life accomplishments, penning two autobiographical books: “I Ain’t Scared Of You” and “Maybe You Never Cry Again.”
In 2000, Bernie would garner even more attention by touring the country as one of “The Original Kings Of Comedy”, along with Cedric The Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey. Prompted by his joke of being the only member without a television show, Fox offered him a deal. The Bernie Mac Show, which was loosely based on his own life, premiered in 2001 and went on to make Bernie a great success. The Bernie Mac Show garnered him a Peabody Award, NAACP Image Award and several Emmy Nominations. His character, “Uncle Bernie” was even ranked #47 in TV Guide’s List of the “50 Greatest TV Dads Of All Time.”
On March 19, 2007, Mac told David Letterman on the CBS Late Show that he would retire from his 30-year career after he finished shooting the comedy film, The Whole Truth, Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me Mac. “I’m going to still do my producing, my films, but I want to enjoy my life a little bit”, Mac told Letterman. “I missed a lot of things, you know. I was a street performer for two years. I went into clubs in 1977 and was on the road 47 weeks out of the year.”
During this time, Mac was having success as a popular film actor, starting with an appearance in the 2007 film Transformers as the car salesman “Bobby Bolivia”, and serving as the voice of Zuba, Alex the Lion’s long-lost father in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. He co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson in the 2008 musical comedy Soul Men. These last two movies were released months after his death. His final film role was as Jimmy Lunchbox in the 2009 film Old Dogs which was released a year after his death.
In the final four years of his life, Mac publicly disclosed that he had had sarcoidosis, a disease of unknown origin that causes inflammation in tissue. Sarcoidosis frequently attacked his lungs. On July 19, 2008, Mac was admitted to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in his hometown of Chicago.After being treated in the ICU for three weeks, Mac went into cardiac arrest and subsequently died during the early morning hours on August 9, at the age of 50. The complications were not attributed to his sarcoidosis, according to his publicist.
Mac’s public memorial was held a week after his death at the House of Hope Church, with nearly 7,000 people in attendance. Notable mourners at Mac’s funeral were Chris Rock, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Samuel L. Jackson, Ashton Kutcher, Don Cheadle, the cast members from The Bernie Mac Show, and his Kings of Comedy fellows D. L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Steve Harvey.
Legacy and tributes
The first two of Mac’s posthumous films, Soul Men and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, were released three months after his death and were dedicated to him. Mac’s third posthumously released and final film, Old Dogs, was released a year after his death. The 2008 Bud Billiken Parade, which was held in Chicago on the day of Mac’s death, was also dedicated to his memory. On the day of Mac’s funeral, his hometown’s local television station WCIU-TV aired an exclusive television special, A Tribute to Bernie Mac, and had interviews with his former colleagues including Camille Winbush, Chris Rock, Joe Torry, Cameron Diaz, Don Cheadle, and some of his family members & close friends.
During Steve Harvey’s television show which aired November 14, 2016, Harvey read a proclamation from Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaiming November 14 as “Bernie Mac Day”. Steve Harvey’s guests included Bernie’s wife Rhonda, their daughter Je’Niece, granddaughter Jasmine, and Bernie’s The Original Kings of Comedy co-stars D. L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Guy Torry (who was the original host at the beginning of the tour). Mike Epps, appearing via satellite, along with the principal of Bernie and Rhonda’s alma mater Chicago Vocational High School (CVS), revealed and unveiled the renaming of CVS Auditorium to the “Bernie Mac Auditorium”.
On February 14, 2017, Rolling Stone named Bernie Mac #41 of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time.
Personal life
Mac married his high school sweetheart Rhonda Gore on September 17, 1977, and together they had a daughter, Je’Niece, born in 1978.
Bernie was a true Chicagoan who loved his city and continued to live in his beloved city even when his celebrity grew. His passion for Chicago and young people prompted him to contribute to his community and further involve himself with Chicago Public Schools and other Youth Organizations. Just prior to his passing, he decided to retire from stand-up comedy and focus solely on acting and producing projects.
Comedian. Actor. Producer. Author. Humanitarian. Husband. Father. Grandfather. And Friend. Bernie had a huge heart that he shared with the world. He shared his gift of laughter with all that knew him, and on August 9, 2008, the Lord called him home. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. In his own words “I don’t wanna be no star because stars fall. I do what I do and I rise.” And he most certainly did!
Resource: Bernie Mac Foundation and Wiki