Bernie Mac

Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, known professionally as Bernie Mac, was an American stand-up comedian, actor and film producer. His most noted film roles were as Frank Catton in the Ocean's film series from 2001 through 2007 and as the title character of Mr. 3000. Mac joined Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L. Hughley as one of the "Big Four" comedians in the film The Original Kings of Comedy. After briefly hosting the HBO show Midnight Mac, Mac appeared in several films in smaller roles. He was the star of The Bernie Mac Show, which ran from 2001 through 2006, earning him two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. His other films included starring roles in The Players Club, Head of State, Bad Santa, Guess Who, Pride, and Soul Men. Mac died at age 50 on August 9, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois from complications of pneumonia.