BERNIE MAC
Few comedians carried truth, grit, and laughter with as much raw power as Bernie Mac. Born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on October 5, 1957, in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, Bernie grew up under the loving watch of his mother, Mary—who called him “Beanie”—and his grandparents, above the Burning Bush Baptist Church at 69th and Morgan. From that ground, he developed not just comedic bones, but a resilient spirit that would define his legacy.
Learning to laugh through pressure was survival. As Bernie wrote in Maybe You Never Cry Again, when bullies called him “tar baby” or “spooky juice,” he fought back with humor, not fists. Facing tragedies young—losing his mother, then brother, then meeting his father only to lose him soon after—he leaned on laughter to push forward.
There was a vivid moment etched in I Ain’t Scared of You: as a child, he saw his mother crying yet laughing again when Bill Cosby appeared on TV. Bernie said, “That’s what I’m gonna be... a comedian so you never have to cry again.”From that moment, comedy wasn’t just a profession—it was his gift to family and community.
Before the lights, Bernie labored. He washed cars, drove buses, moved furniture, delivered bread, and more—often performing jokes backstage in clubs while balancing day jobs. His breakthrough came when, at 32, he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search, finally flipping life on its head and launching a career rooted in fearless honesty.
His 1992 Def Comedy Jam was legendary. Facing a hostile crowd, he stepped up and declared: “I ain’t scared of you mothafuckas.” That moment propelled him into cultural mythology, laying the groundwork for his "Original Kings of Comedy" era and unmatched authenticity.
Beyond stand-up, Bernie lent his presence to film and TV—Friday, Ocean’s Eleven trilogy, Mr. 3000—but he shone brightest in The Bernie Mac Show (2001–2006), playing a fictional version of himself. The show earned critical acclaim—Peabody Awards, Emmy nominations, NAACP honors—as it broke boundaries by blending humor, humanity, and cultural truth.
Facing personal health battles, Bernie carried on. Battling sarcoidosis, he continued to tour internationally until double pneumonia claimed his life in 2008. He left behind a video legacy: Madagascar 2, Soul Men, even Old Dogs, all released posthumously and dedicated to his memory.
Key Achievements & Awards
Star of The Bernie Mac Show (2001–2006), which earned a Peabody Award, Emmy nominations, and three NAACP Image Awards
Named one of the “Original Kings of Comedy” (2000) alongside Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D.L. Hughley
BET Comedy Award (2004) for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Honored posthumously with the BET Comedy Icon Award (2008)
Revered as one of Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time
Notable Filmography
Mo Money - (1992)
Who’s The Man - (1993)
Above The Rim - (1994)
House Party 3 - (1994)
Friday (1995) – Pastor Clever
The Walking Dead - (1995)
Don’t Be A Menace To The South Central While Drinking Your Gin In The Hood - (1996)
Get On The Bus - (1996)
B.A.P.S - (1997)
Booty Call - (1997)
How To Be A Player - (1997)
Don King : Only In America -(1997)
Player’s Club - (1998)
Life (1999) – Jangle Leg
The Original Kings of Comedy (2000) – Himself
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
What’s The Worse That Can Happen - (2001)
Bad Santa - (2003)
Charlie Angel’s : Full Throttle - (2003)
Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Mr. 3000 (2004) – Lead role as Stan Ross
Guess Who (2005) – Percy Jones
Lil Pimp - (2005)
Inspector Gadget Biggest Caper - (2005)
Pride (2007) – Elston
Transformer - (2007)
Ocean’s 13 - (2007)
Soul Men (2008) – Louis Hinds (released posthumously)
Voice role in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) as Zuba the Lion (released posthumously)
Old Dogs - 2009
