Pneumonia can go nuclear in hours on you. It's spinning a very large roulette wheel if you have it, but every now and then, your physical stars can align and you are dead.
Pre antibiotic days, pneumonia was a french kiss date with death that could take anyone.
Don't fool around with it.
Also, I suspect that the tissue damage to lung cells caused by the bacteria increases your chances for lung cancer.
I was going to post something similar...but I glad I read down the whole thread before posting. Remember Jim Henson (of Muppets fame) he also died of pneumonia at a young age. Seek medical care early folks...don't try tough it out, or just think you have the flu or a chest cold.
Bernie Mac was very funny (w/a few rough edges)...he will be missed. I would guess, he kept 'going' ignoring what he was feeling (had commitments, etc) and the pneumonia got out ahead of the treatment. So sad.