The entertainment world suffered a great loss this weekend, when Comedian Bernie Mac passed away after a bout with pneumonia. Mr. Mac (Bernard Jeffery McCullough) passed away in a Chicago hospital. He was fifty.

What can one say about the man, Bernie Mac. Much. He touched the world with his down-to-earth, straight-from-the-hip, humor. What made Bernie Mac stand out from the others, seemed to be his genuineness. He kept it real. Being true to himself, his family, friends, and even his fans. What you saw is what you got...no holds bar, and unapologetic.

Bernie Mac began his career in 1977 in his hometown of, Chicago. Best known for his stand-up centering around family and children. He got his first movie break in a role in the film, Mo' Money, starring the Wayans Brothers. From there, he continued to work his way up.

One of his more memorable projects was, The Original Kings of Comedy, which help to put Bernie Mac on the map, and introduce him to a whole other audience who would become his fans. The Original Kings of Comedy featured: Steve Harvey, D.L. Hugely, and Cedric the Entertainer. At the time, Bernie Mac was the only one without his own syndicated show. That would change soon after.

Bernie Mac starred in his own TV series, bearing his name, "The Bernie Mac Show", on the Fox network. The show was centered around Bernie and his wife, and the raising of his nieces and nephew. It wasn't a far reach for Mr. Mac to portray--since it was his own life that he was in fact portraying.

Bernie Mac, the legend that he was, gained a world of fans that often imitate his funny sayings. Mr. Mac was also known for his portrayal as one of the Ocean's gang, in the Ocean's movies starring, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Carl Reiner. All of whom, Mr. Mac left an indelible impression upon.

Bernie Mac was hospitalized for symptoms related to sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs. He had given several interviews pertaining to his sickness and stated that it was in remission.

His passing comes as a great shock, too many. Bernie Mac was the consummate performer, giving his all in every performance. He was more than a comedian, actor, and performer. He was a gift. A gift that was given to this world to make laughter a part of everyday life.

Bernie Mac was about family. And, it is to his family that we extend our gratitude for sharing your husband, father, uncle, brother, grandfather, We pray that your hearts are filled with his laughter in your time of sorrow an loss.

To Bernie Mac. A man who gave all, and told it like it was--you will be missed. Thanks for all the smiles, and side-aching-rollicking-side-splitting-laughs! You were the man!

Bernie Mac 1957-2008.