Bernie Mac, 1957 - 2008
Bernie Mac, a Golden Globe nominated comic actor known for his roles in “The Bernie Mac Show” and the “Ocean’s Eleven” films, died of complications from pneumonia Saturday in a Chicago area hospital. He was 50.
Born into a rough Chicago neighborhood in 1957, Mac turned to stand-up comedy at an early age. He celebrated his big-screen debut in a small role in Peter MacDonald’s crime comedy “Mo’Money.”
During the ‘90s, Mac took on several minor roles in feature films, including “Friday,” “Get on the Bus” and “How to Be a Player.”
In 2001, Mac starred as Frank Catton alongside George Clooney in Steven Soderbergh’s remake of “Ocean’s Eleven.” He reprised this role in 2004’s “Ocean’s Twelve” and last year’s sequel “Ocean’s Thirteen.”
Other bigger roles that helped Mac’s fame in Hollywood included “Charlie’s Angels” Full Throttle,” “Mr. 3000” and “Bad Santa.”
Mac’s biggest television success was “The Bernie Mac Show,” for which he received two Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations. In the popular sitcom, Mac played a stand-up comedian who takes custody of his sister’s children after she enters rehab.
On the big screen, Mac as last seen in Michael Bay’s Transformers.” He recently completed four projects that are currently in post-production. One of them is Walt Becker’s “Old Dogs,” which also stars John Travolta, Seth Green and Robin Williams.
Although I didn’t completely enjoy every Bernie Mac flick I’ve seen so far (including “Guess Who”), I have to admit the news of his death is a big shock. I really loved him in “Bad Santa” and the “Ocean” movies, and it’s hard to imagine him not being around on the screen anymore.
Thank you for making so many people laugh, Bernie Mac. You will be missed.
Article by Franck Tabouring
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Reader Comments (2)
Oh my gosh i don't believe i'm reading this........ bernie will be greatly missed by millions...... regards to his family and friends.
I LOVE ME SOME BERNIE MAC IM GONE MISS HIM BADLY I LIKE EVERYTHING HE EVER PLAYED IN MY REGARDS GO OUT TO HIS WIFE & DAUGHTER AND THIRTY YEARS THAT HAD TO HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL I DO MEAN WONDERFUL MARRIAGE. FROM A LOVIN FAN IM JUST A FAN SHELIAA WILLIAMS