Posted on 08/09/2008 6:43:32 PM PDT by newbeenew
Bernie Mac blended style, authority and a touch of self-aware bluster to make audiences laugh as well as connect with him.
For Mac, who died Saturday at age 50, it was a winning mix, delivering him from a poor childhood to stardom as a standup comedian, in films including the casino heist caper "Ocean's Eleven" and his acclaimed sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show."
Mac died Saturday morning of complications from pneumonia.
"The world just got a little less funny," said "Oceans" co-star George Clooney.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Whoa...that’s a shock. What a shame.
Yeah I liked him.
Sad! My husband and I love his show.
Didn’t see a lot of him, but what I did see, yes, he was funny and cool. And only 50 years old. Far too young. Rest in peace, Bernie.
I was very surprised there wasn’t an earlier thread on this. I thought the guy was hysterically funny. The “Kings of Comedy” stuff is gold. Major bummer, and relatively young too.
Just seems like these are the folks we want more of, not less of. A real loss.
His daughter is quoted as saying that, in real life, he was just like his character on the “Bernie Mac” show. Thoughtful. Caring. Silly. But: family first.
My sentiments exactly.
wasn’t this the guy who obama just recently threw under the bus??
What was his last name?
His humor was drawn from life.....a tough life.
One of the few authentic stand up comedians - he will be missed.
Condolences to Bernie Mac’s family and friends.
McCullough
Rest in Peace Mr. Mac. You made a lot of us laugh in this life.
Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on Oct. 5, 1957, in Chicago. He grew up on the South Side, living with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather was the deacon of a Baptist church.
“I came from a place where there wasn’t a lot of joy,” Mac told the AP in 2001. “I decided to try to make other people laugh when there wasn’t a lot of things to laugh about.”
Mac’s mother died of cancer when he was 16. In his book, Mac said she was a support for him and told him he would surprise everyone when he grew up.
Never heard of the guy!
People don’t take pneumonia very seriously sometimes-it is still one of the quickest killing diseases around.
People don’t take pneumonia very seriously sometimes-it is still one of the quickest killing diseases around.
This question is out of ignorance, how does one get pneumonia in Aug?
you’re right. but obama apparently was fine with bernie’s (rather non-controvesial) remarks in person. later, however, his campaign had to make some kind of scolding “statement.”
too bad. hope that won’t be something to taint bernie’s obits (but it probably will...)
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