Chicago, IL – On Saturday (Aug. 9) one of the members of the Original Kings of Comedy passed away abruptly from complications due to pneumonia, he was only 50 years old.

Bernie Mac, who was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, passed away early Saturday morning at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. His publicist, Danica Smith, left this statement to the Associated Press.

“Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital.”

No other further details were expressed by her to the media except that he was hospitalized earlier this week with pneumonia and was in very critical condition. She also stated that ‘he was responding very well to the treatment and should be released soon.” He passed away just two months before his 51st birthday.

Over the years, it was said that he was battling an inflammatory lung disease known as sarcoidosis. This disease was known to cause inflammation in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs. It had since been in remission since 2005. However, Smith stated that his death was not related to sarcoidosis.

Mac is survived by his wife, Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je’Niece, his son-in-law and his granddaughter, Jasmine.

24hourhiphop.com sends our deepest condolences to the McCullough Family in this time of despair.