The world lost one of its brightest stars last week. Comedian/actor, Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, Bernie Mac to his beloved fans, passed away on the morning of August 9th due to complications with pneumonia. Bernie Mac’s infectious smile and in your face sense of humor made him one of the most recognizable faces in the industry.

Born in Chicago’s south side, Bernie Mac first realized his talent for making people laugh at the age of 8 years old, when he would impersonate his grandparents. Mac began his career as a stand-up comic at the Cotton Pickin’ Club, one of the areas premier venues for up-in-coming comics and artists.

At the age of 32, Bernie won the Miller Lite Comedy Search Award. His emerging popularity in the stand-up circuit earned him a spot on the new, highly experimental and successful HBO show, Def Comedy Jam. Mac’s energetic personality and larger-than-life stage presence was an immediate hit with people. After a few more appearances on Def Comedy Jam, Mac earned himself his own short-lived late night show on HBO, Midnight Mac.

To say Bernie Mac has worked hard over the span of his career would be an understatement. All his hard work has made him into one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, starring in his own movies along with writing, producing and starring in his highly acclaimed, award-winning television show, The Bernie Mac Show. Mac was not always the star of his own movies and shows though; he has played many supporting roles over the years, in movies which many are now considered hip-hop classics. His roles have a certain affinity with the hip-hop culture that is alive and well today. Though Mac may not have been the star of these movies, his presence was always felt and his impact on the hip-hop culture is evident.

It was in 1992 that we first saw Bernie Mac, in Damon Wayans’ hip-hop classic, Mo’ Money, about a young con man that needs the help of his brother after getting himself into a situation way over his head. Though Mac only played the doorman at a club, his energy and inescapable dominating personality was felt. Mac played noticeable parties in two classics filmed in 1993, Above the Rim and House Party 3. Who could forget his role as Pastor Clever in 1995’s classic film, Friday? Though he only got a few moments of onscreen time, the comedic interactions between him and co-stars Chris Tucker and Ice Cube were unforgettable. Mac’s mark was officially made in the film industry at this point, and roles would keep on rolling in. The other notable films Mac was in between 1996 and 1998 were Don’t Be A Menace In South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood, Booty Call, How To Be A Player, and lastly, The Player’s Club (where he played club-owner Dollar Bill). A facet in hip-hop classic movies he is, but he can also be heard on Kanye West’s classic album, College Dropout, as he speaks to Kanye on how to teach the youth.

Bernie Mac was officially one of the leading faces of comedy in America at this time, and in 2000 he was named an official King of Comedy. Joining the comedic forces of D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Steve Harvey, they came together to create Spike Lee’s, Original Kings of Comedy, documenting a monumental performance of the top four Africa-American comics at the time.

Mac’s larger than life performance in this movie landed him his own sitcom on the FOX network; that was lightly based around his actual life experiences. In 2002, the show received its first NAACP award for outstanding actor in a comedy series. Mac would go on to win this award three more times, the last being in 2006.

Mac’s first leading role took place in 2004’s baseball movie, Mr. 3000, where he comes out of retirement to break the hitting record that he thought he already owned. Mac can be seen in movies such as , Bad Santa, Ocean’s Twelve/Thirteen, Pride and Transformers.

Bernie Mac has left a lasting impression, and has undoubtedly influenced a whole new generation of comics and Black actors that will make their impact in the upcoming years. Tragically, the day after Mac’s death, music legend Isaac Hayes past away from natural causes. Coincidently, they were working on a film together entitled, Soul Men. Bernie Mac was 50 and Hayes 65. We can only hope that their souls rest in peace, and a new generation of comics and musicians learn from these two men, and continue to provide the world with laughter and music.