Actor and Comedian Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50 of Pnueumonia and Sarcoidosis Complications

By CocoaDiva on Aug 09, 2008 with Comments

Comedian and Chicago native Bernie Mac died early Saturday morning from complications due to pneumonia, his publicist confirmed.Mac, 50, had been hospitalized for about a week at Northwestern Hospital, according to his spokeswoman. A few years ago, Mac disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.
Mac — born Bernard Jeffrey McCollough — starred in the Fox television series “The Bernie Mac Show” and appeared on “Def Comedy Jam”. His film roles included the “The Original Kings of Comedy,” “Ocean’s Eleven” series, “Friday,” “Get on the Bus,” “Transformers” and “Bad Santa.”

Sarcoidosis—what’s that
It’s an immune system disorder that affects tens of thousands of Americans. Symptoms include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, small red bumps on the face, arms or buttocks, red, watery eyes, and arthritis in the ankles, elbows, wrists and hands, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most cases are mild, but severe cases can cause scarring in the lungs, a complication that occurs in 20 to 25 percent of patients.

African-Americans are more prone to the condition than whites (the incidence rate among blacks is 35.5 cases per 100,000; among whites it’s 10.9 per 100,000). African-American women are twice as likely as African-American men to be struck with the illness.

RIP Bernie — “America” will miss you.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Share and Enjoy: