Bernie Mac Passed Away 16 Years Ago Today, But His Impact On Comedy Remains

(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

August 9th marks the 16th anniversary of Bernie Mac’s shocking passing, and the comedic world is still grappling with the void he left in comedy.

Born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on October 5th, 1957, Bernie Mac took on his famous moniker when he began to delve into his career.  The Chicago native started humbly as he performed jokes on the subway for donations.  He eventually elevated to stand-up clubs in the city before winning a national comedy search in 1990, which helped propel Mac into the national spotlight.  Mac became a fixture on platforms such as ComicView and HBO’s Def Comedy Jam before landing his first role in a film as a club bodyguard in 1992’s “Mo’ Money.” One of his most notable roles came about in 1995, when he portrayed Pastor Clever in the cult classic, “Friday.” He also starred as the lively strip club owner Dollar Bill in 1998’s “The Player’s Club.”

One of Mac’s greatest performances arrived in 2000’s “The Original Kings of Comedy,” which showcased himself, Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, and D.L. Hughley.  Mac’s skit was the final of the show, becoming one of the most widely known in comedy history.  Mac had previously performed his “Milk and Cookies” spoof several times.  However, his rendition of it during “The Original Kings of Comedy” earned Mac a standing ovation.  The following year, his sitcom, “The Bernie Mac Show,” debuted on November 14th, 2001, becoming an overnight success.  The series was loosely based on the famed “Milk and Cookies” jokes and ran until April 14th, 2006.  The show earned several accolades, including a Peabody, a Primetime Emmy, and three NAACP Image Awards.

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Sadly, Mac passed away at age 50 after a weeks-long hospitalization due to pneumonia and complications related to sarcoidosis, which he lived with for over 20 years.  His death left the entertainment world devastated.  Though we will never get another Bernie Mac, his work has stood the test of time.