Shocking news from Northwestern Memorial Hospital today: Bernie Mac, comedian and actor, died Saturday. His publicist, Danica Smith, said he died as a result of complications from pneumonia.
From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Mac suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body’s organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.
As recently as Friday, his publicist said Mac was responding well to treatment for the illness. The day before, she indicated he could be released from the hospital in the coming weeks.
But Mac, who lived in the south suburbs, died Saturday, cutting short a diverse and remarkable career that began with humble, South Side roots.
For a short while, Mac was a member of the Lincolnshire Country Club in Crete, IL. At the time, he was the club’s only African American member.
Mac worked in movies, standup, and television.
Mac was 50 years old. We are all less for his loss. He was an incredible talent.