Bernard Jeffrey McCollough, better known as Bernie Mac, was born in 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, to Mary McCullough and Jeffery Harrison. Growing up in a large family in a rougher neighborhood than most, he developed a unique perspective on life that would later influence his comedy. As a young man, Mac worked at the Regal Theater and performed in Chicago parks, eventually becoming a professional comedian in 1977 at the age of 19.
Despite his talent, Mac refused to change his image for television and films, which limited his exposure during the 1980s. However, he continued to work steadily, appearing in small roles in films such as Mo' Money (1992),Who's the Man? (1993),House Party 3 (1994),and The Walking Dead (1995).
It was in 1995 that Mac's career began to take off. He released an HBO special, Midnight Mac, and appeared in the film Friday, starring Chris Tucker. The film developed a cult following, and Mac's star began to rise. He went on to appear in Spike Lee's Get on the Bus (1996) and the comedy Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996).
Mac's recurring role in the TV series Moesha (1996) further solidified his growing fan base. He continued to appear in films, including How to Be a Player (1997) and The Players Club (1998),before landing his most prominent role to date in the film Life (1999),starring alongside Eddie Murphy.
The new millennium brought new opportunities for Mac. He was a featured comedian in The Original Kings of Comedy (2000),which helped establish him as a household name. He went on to appear in a string of successful films, including What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001) and Ocean's Eleven (2001).
However, it was his own television series, The Bernie Mac Show (2001),that brought him the most success. The show debuted to instant acclaim and ran for five seasons, cementing Mac's status as a beloved comedian and actor.
Tragically, Mac's life was cut short when he died on August 9, 2008, at the age of 50, due to complications from sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease. Despite his untimely passing, Bernie Mac left behind a legacy as a talented and unapologetic comedian who remained true to himself throughout his career.
