When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters on the grill, get the ice-cold beer and the cigars - that’s heaven here on earth. ~Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac, best known for his Bernie Mac Show which ran from 2001-2006 was an American actor, and comedian. He always carried a smile on his face, and a positive attitude.

Born on October 5th,1957, Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, has had some serious health issues in the past year. On August 9th, 2008, at age 50 Bernie Mac dies from further complications of pneumonia.

Raised in the South side of Chicago, Bernie Mac gained his popularity through stand-up comedy, joining Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L Hughley as the Original Kings of Comedy.

His brief appearance as a host of the HBO show Midnight Mac, pushed him even closer to the big screen. His most notable role was of Frank Catton in the 1950’s remake of Ocean’s Eleven, followed its two sequels.

Other well respected roles he has been seen are in the films Bad Santa, Mr.3000, as the new Bosley in the Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and as the car salesman in Transformers.

In 1977 he married Rhonda McCullough, with whom he had one daughter Je’Niece, born in 1978.

Bernie Mac has suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps in the cells of the body organs. He had said this condition has gone in remission in 2005.

Due to an infection, Mac was hospitalized on July 24th, 2008 at a Chicago clinic. Later on it turned out to be pneumonia. According to his publicist Danica Smith, he was in a critical condition, and few days later he had died due to complications of pneumonia, unrelated to sarcoidosis.

At the time of his death, Bernie Mac was working on a few film and TV projects. “Starting Under” and “Welcome to the Family” are TV series in post production. Old Dogs is a film expected to be released 2009 where Mac plays a main role. “Soul Men” is a film expected to be released mid November, where Mac was working with Issac Hayes, who coincidentally passed away from a stroke in his home in Memphis, Tennessee day after Mac.

Throughout his acting career Bernie Mac has been showered with Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and awards.

He has been an excellent and well respected actor and comedian in the Hollywood world.

‘The world just got a little less funny. He will be dearly missed,” George Clooney says in a statement.

Rest in Peace!