Bernie Mac Biography

Born Bernard Jeffery McCullough, Bernie Mac's inventive comedy was exposed to the mainstream in Spike Lee's hilarious 'The Original Kings of Comedy' (2000), alongside Steve Harvey, DL Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer. Off that success Mac got his own slot on a TV sitcom, 'The Bernie Mac Show', which ran from 2001 to 2006.

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 became a professional comedian at the age of 19.

The TV and film industries of the 1980s were not interested in Mac; he was unfashionable and refused to change his image. The 1990s were better: Mac made his film debut in 'Mo' Money' (1992) where he played a club doorman. This started a string of small parts in a number of movies, mostly comedies, including 'Who's the Man?', 'House Party 3' and 'The Walking Dead'. Mac also 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. 1996 was also the same year he started appearing as Uncle Bernie in 'Moesha', which paved the way for 'The Bernie Mac Show', a series that ran for over 100 episodes between 2001 and 2006.

A supporting role as Frank Catton in the Hollywood blockbuster 'Ocean's Eleven' (2001) widened his fan base, opening an avenue for him to take leading roles in future projects. 2003 saw him appear in 'Bad Santa', 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle' and 'Head of State' before returning in a sequel to 'Ocean's Eleven' in 2004. The lead character in 'Mr 3000' (2004) followed before Mac reprised his role in 2005's 'Guess Who' alongside Ashton Kutcher and returned once more in 'Ocean's Thirteen'.

A winner of several accolades and nominations, including the Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award and Television Critics Association Award, Mac's career was cut short in 2008 when he passed away in August after being hospitalised with complications arising from pneumonia, according to his publicist.

He was survived by his wife Rhonda, daughter Je'Niece, and a granddaughter.