Bernie Mac Died Of Pneumonia Complications

Bernard Jeffrey McCullough (October 5, 1957 – August 9, 2008), better known by the stage name Bernie Mac, was an American actor and comedian. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley as The Original Kings of Comedy.

After briefly hosting the HBO show Midnight Mac, Mac appeared in several movies in smaller roles. His most notable movie role was as Frank Catton in the remake of Ocean’s Eleven and its two sequels. Mac also starred in several movies, including Mr. 3000. He was the star of The Bernie Mac Show, which ran from 2001-2006, and earned two Emmy Award nominations.

Bernie Mac’s wife and daughter were with him until the very end, says the late comic’s sister-in-law in a personal and touching interview with PEOPLE magazine that took place Saturday.

Speaking of a heartbreaking moment between her younger sister, Rhonda, and the 50-year-old actor-comedian – who succumbed to complications from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital at 2 a.m. Saturday – Mary Ann Grossett says that the night before Mac died, “He struggled for his life. He couldn’t breathe.

“He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, ‘Don’t leave me … ‘I’m waiting for you to come back.’ He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that’s when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired.”

Rhonda, Mac’s wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je’Niece, were with him when he died. “[The doctors] were working on him,” says Grossett. “They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time.”

Prior to that, the couple had last communicated on July 31. “He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out,” says Grossett.

Brooks And Dunn Received Their Stars On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Country stars Brooks and Dunn, consist of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have joined esteemed ranks of Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Bugs Bunny. They just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The singing-songwriting duo were overwhelmed on Monday as Dr. Phil McGraw and wife Robin introduced them before unveiling the bronze star in the pavement.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing these guys really well for a number of years now,” said McGraw. ” It is truly an honor for me to be a part of this.”

Brooks told the crowd he was amazed “[to] see Morgan Freeman’s name right next to us.”

“I think people forget that Ronnie and I have dedicated our lives to music because originally we’re such huge fans,” Brooks, 53, said. “To have your name on a star on Hollywood [Boulevard] seems so out of reach.”

Dunn, 55, was practically at a loss for words. “There are hundreds of people that should be in the star with us,” he said. “We’re lucky to be here.