• Actor, Comedian Bernie Mac Dies

Bernie Mac was born on October 5, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a two time Emmy Award-nominated American actor and comedian.

Born Bernard Jeffery McCullough, Bernie Mac’s inventive comedy was exposed to the mainstream in Spike Lee’s hilarious 'The Original Kings of Comedy'. Off that success Mac got his own slot on a TV sitcom, 'The Bernie Mac Show'.

Growing up in the energetic dynamic of a large extended family provided the fun-loving Mac with plenty of material for his comedy and the opportunity to polish his skills as an impressionist. Mac worked in the Regal Theatre and performed in Chicago parks and on the El in his younger days, earning a meagre living. He began to crave the legitimacy of official venues, and came a professional comedian at the age of 19.

The TV and film industries of the 1980’s were not interested in Mac; he was unfashionable and refused to change his image. The 1990’s were better: Mac made his film debut in 'Mo' Money'. This started a string of small parts in a string of movies, mostly comedies, including 'Who's the Man?', 'House Party 3' and 'The Walking Dead'.

That year was the turning point, Mac did an HBO Special called 'Midnight Mac', and he began to develop a cult following. In 1996 he starred in the memorable Spike Lee movie 'Get on the Bus' and three years later he starred with Eddie Murphy in 'Life' and went on to become a household name.

He starred in such movies which include Ocean's Eleven (2001), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Guess Who (2005), Ocean's Thirteen (2007) and Michael Bay’s blockbuster Transformers (2007).

In 1977 at age 19, Mac married his wife Rhonda, whom he credits with much of his success, particularly as the young couple struggled through the early years of Mac's fledgling career. They have a daughter Je'Niece and live in Chicago. Besides his work in film and television Mac has also authored two books, 2001's I Ain't Scared of You: Bernie Mac on How Life Is and his 2003 memoir, Maybe You Never Cry Again.

Filmography

• Welcome to the Family (2008)
• Bolt (2008)
• Transformers (2007)
• Ocean's Thirteen (2007)
• Pride (2007)
• "The Bernie Mac Show" (97 episodes, 2001-2006)
• Honor Deferred (2006)
• Inspector Gadget's Biggest Caper Ever (2005)
• Guess Who (2005)
• Lil' Pimp (2005)
• Ocean's Twelve (2004)
• Mr. 3000 (2004)
• Bad Santa (2003)
• Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
• "King of the Hill" (1 episode, 2003)
• Head of State (2003)
• Ocean's Eleven (2001)
• What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
• "Moesha" (11 episodes, 1996-2000)
• Life (1999)
• The Players Club (1998)
• Don King: Only in America (1997)
• How to Be a Player (1997)
• B*A*P*S (1997)
• Booty Call (1997)
• "The Wayans Bros." (1 episode, 1997)
• Get on the Bus (1996)
• Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)
• Reasons (1996)
• Friday (1995)
• The Walking Dead (1995)
• Above the Rim (1994)
• House Party 3 (1994)
• Who's the Man? (1993)
• Mo' Money (1992)

Awards

• ShoWest Comedy Star of the Year 2005
• Peabody Award "The Bernie Mac Show" 2001