Bernie Mac: R.I.P.
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images for NAACP/Getty Images
Bernie Mac: actor, producer and Original King of Comedy died today, August 9th due to complications from pneumonia in his native city of Chicago. Mac had struggled with health issues on and off since the mid 2000’s due in part to sarcoidosis. He was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease in 1983, but maintained a busy and fruitful career in stand-up, television and movies until his death at the age of 50. Mac garnered two Emmy nominations as one of TV’s most sympathetic dads in The Bernie Mac Show. He told David Letterman in early 2007 that he planned on retiring after completing the comedy; 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, I missed a lot of things, you know”. He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Rhonda, his daughter Jasmine and his granddaughter. We’ll miss you Bernie Mac.
