Comedian Bernie Mac Dead at the Age of 50 from Complications from Pneumonia

Comedian Bernie Mac has died this morning in Chicago at the age of 50 due to complications from pneumonia. Mac had been hospitalized more than a week with the lung infection and was thought just very recently is have been improving enough to be released from the hospital.

Danica Smith, the comedian’s publicist, had said Thursday that Mac’s condition was “stable,” The Associated Press reported.

“When I got the call this morning, it was just devastating news,” said Chicago Sun-Times columnist Stella Foster. “Let’s face it: Bernie Mac was one of a kind. He was the best of the best in terms of giving you a good laugh.”

Smith previously said the pneumonia wasn’t related to sarcoidosis, a lung disease Mac had, which had been in remission since 2005, according to AP.

Bernie Mac, born Bernard Jeffrey McCollough, sadly is dead at the young age of 50.  Rest in peace Bernie. Although some will bring up the recent Obama event where Bernie Mac made an off color joke that did not sit well with “the Chosen One”, I would rather remember him for his many TV and movie rolls where he was nothing short of hilarious. As Michelle Malkin writes, “That’s a real shame”. Bernie Mac, you will be missed … you were a funny, funny man. God bless.

Statement from publicist, Danica Smith:

“Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital,”

She said no other details were available and asked that his family’s privacy be respected.