Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes huge losses in entertainment over the weekend
The first time Bernie Mac appeared on Def Comedy Jam he turned it out. In those early years Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey, Adele Givens, Sheryl Underwood and Flex hit the comedy scene running. But it was Bernie Mac and Chris Tucker who were the absolute stand outs.
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Bernie came on stage with those glasses, a picture of himself on his pants, and repeating his refrain “you don’t understand.” Def Comedy Jam launched Mac to the height of his profession where he eventually joined Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley as the Original Kings of Comedy. The Kings played sold out arenas all over the country and their show was eventually produced as a Spike Lee movie.
Speaking of movies, Mac had a memorable film career. In the beginning he starred in titles familiar to those of us who came of age in the ’90’s, including Mo’ Money, Above the Rim, How to Be a Player, Life, and a hilarious turn as Pastor Clever in Friday.
In the new millenium, Mac has seen mainstream success, scoring roles in Ocean’s 11, 12, and 13, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Bad Santa, and lead turns in Mr. 3000 and Guess Who. From 2001-2006, Mac starred in his own sitcom on Fox, The Bernie Mac Show. Mac portrayed a strong male head of household on TV while shows like Malcolm in the Middle and The Simpsons were dumbing down the role of father. On the show, Uncle Bernie treated the kids firmly, fairly, and most of all with love.
On Saturday we all got the news the Bernie Mac had died at the age of 50 due to complications from pneumonia. For the last few years Mac had been battling sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue in the lungs. A memorial service is scheduled to remember the late comedian at noon Saturday at the House of Hope in Chicago.
On Sunday, Isaac Hayes passed away at the age of 65. He was found by family members unconscious next to a still-running treadmill.
The multiple Grammy winner is best known for the title track in the 1971 film Shaft. I always think of Hayes in Keenan Ivory Wayans’ I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. In recent years Hayes has built a loyal following from voicing the character Chef on Comedy Central’s South Park.
