Anecdotes

He used to be a boxer.

Starred in Soul Men alongside Isaac Hayes. Hayes died on August 10, 2008, the day after Bernie's death on August 9, 2008.

Started his career in stand-up comedy in 1977. His first professional comedy gig was at The Cotton Club in Chicago. He was so broke, he had to borrow a suit from his brother.

He was hospitalized with pneumonia on July 18, 2008. False rumors of his death spread widely. His publicist, Danica Smith insisted he would make a full recovery. Unfortunately, Mac took a turn for the worse. He died August 9, 2008, from complications of pneumonia.

His mother and both siblings died before he did. His mother died of breast cancer his sophomore year of high school. One brother died as a baby, the other died of a heart attack in his 20s.

February 2005 - revealed that he had suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease, since 1983. He said it had no effect on his daily life.

His daughter, Je'niece McCullough, was born in 1978. She has a master's degree in mental health counseling. She also had a daughter who was born in 2006.

He was in two movies that opened on the same day in the U.S.: Madagascar 2 (2008) and Soul Men (2008). Both opened November 7, 2008.

His character on The Bernie Mac Show (2001), was ranked #47 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].

Sampled on Prince's song, "Pope", from his appearance on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam (1992). Prince's song can be found on his 1993 album "The Hits".

Is mentioned in Christina Aguilera's single Dirrty.

Is seen getting a pedicure in both Ocean's Twelve (2004) and Bad Santa (2003).

Friends with Chris Rock, Cedric The Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Joe Torry, and Steve Harvey.

Release of his book, "I Ain't Scared of You: Bernie Mac on How Life Is". (2001)

Release of his book, "Maybe You Never Cry Again". (2003)

He was a close friend of Robin Harris.

Cousin of Kimberly Bonner.