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Comic actor Bernie Mac dies at age 50
CHICAGO — DEVELOPING STORY:

A publicist says Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian Bernie Mack has died at age 50.

Publicist Danica Smith says Bernie Mac died early Saturday at a hospital in the Chicago area of complications due to pneumonia.

The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but he had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently had been hospitalized and treated for pneumonia.

Mac had starring roles in "Ocean's Eleven," "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Transformers."

The comedian drew critical and popular acclaim with his Fox television series "The Bernie Mac Show," which aired more than 100 episodes from 2001 to 2006.

Wow. That's a surprise. RIP.

A few days earlier, they said that he was in the hospital due to pneumonia, but the publicist was playing down the seriousness of the situation.

RIP Bernie Mac. Too early!

Thats shocking, he was a funny man. R.I.P.

Dang. I didn't know he was sick.

Wow!!! I had no idea he was sick either. WAY too young.

RIP Bernie! Too many great laughs. His time was definitely shortened! I am sure he had a lot of great laughs left in him.

Wow... Didn't see that coming...

Rest in Peace Mr. Mac...





Bernie Mac
October 5, 1957 - August 9, 2008

I knew he was in the hospital for pneumonia. The tabs kept saying that he was critical condition (and not doing well) and there were rumors that he died. Then around time Morgan Freeman's accident, Bernie Mac's publicist released a statement saying he was in stable condition and improving. So, this was kinda of shocking. . .

I was shocked to hear this. WOW. RIP Mr. 3000

Truley sad He put many smiles on many faces.. You will be missed Bernie.. RIP

We've now lost two great comedians in a few months. George Carlin and Bernie Mac.

Wow. At 50.

Very sad. He was way too young.

Stars pay tribute to Bernie Mac

George Clooney has led tributes to US comedian Bernie Mac, who died in hospital on Saturday, aged 50.

"The world just got a little less funny," said the star, who appeared with Mac in the Ocean's Eleven series.

"This is a very sad day for many of us who knew and loved Bernie," added Don Cheadle, another Ocean's co-star, "but heaven just got funnier."

Mac, who starred in his own TV show as well as a number of Hollywood films, died of complications from pneumonia.

The Chicago-born comedian, whose real name was Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, was admitted to hospital on 1 August.

But his death surprised many, as he had reportedly been responding well to treatment.

Comedian Carl Reiner said he was "in utter shock" because he thought his friend's condition had been improving.

"He was just so alive. I can't believe he's gone," he added.

"I feel blessed to have shared years of friendship with Bernie Mac," said Samuel L Jackson, who recently completed filming musical comedy Soul Men with the star.

"My sincere prayer is that his family will be comforted by the warmth of love from all of us who knew and respected this man."

Mac's larger-than-life comedy persona was informed by his impoverished childhood in Chicago and honed by years on the stand-up circuit.

He made his first film appearance in the Damon Wayans movie Mo' Money in 1992, but achieved mainstream success as part of the Kings of Comedy tour and TV special in 1997.

A recurring role in sitcom Moesha led to his own eponymous TV show, which picked up several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations - and won the comedian a Peabody Award for excellence in television.

Married for more than 30 years, Mac largely eschewed Hollywood, choosing to live in Chicago.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, a daughter and a granddaughter.

Category 5 wrote:We've now lost two great comedians in a few months. George Carlin and Bernie Mac.

Yes we did.