Bernie Mac

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.

His daughter, Je'Niece Childress, was born in 1978. She has a master's degree in mental health counseling and has been married since 2002. She also had a daughter who was born in 2007.

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".

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].

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

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.

Has the rare distinction of being in two movies that opened on the same day in the U.S. - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) and Soul Men (2008) (November 7, 2008).

Was hospitalized with pneumonia on August 1, 2008. Rumors of his deterioration, as well as false rumors of his death from the disease, spread widely, although his publicist Danica Smith insisted that he would make a full recovery. Sadly, Mac had actually taken a turn for the worse and died August 9, 2008 from complications from pneumonia.