BERNIE MAC - BERNIE MAC, DEAD AT 50

BERNIE MAC, DEAD AT 50

Comedian Bernie Mac, whose eponymous television show became a big hit for Fox in 2001 and lasted for five seasons, died Saturday from complications due to pneumonia in Chicago at age 50. His death was first reported by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Stella Foster, who took over Irv Kupcinet's column after his death in 2003. "This piece is difficult to write because I have been a fan of this super-talented and funny black man dating back to an evening in 1990 at the old Cotton Club when Carolyn Albritton asked me to be a judge at 'The Best of Open Mike' contest -- where Bernie won in the comedy category," Foster wrote.

11/08/2008