When comedian Bernie Mac died an untimely death in 2008 at the age of 50, fans all over the world mourned. A native Chicagoan, Mac – born Bernie McCullough – was a renowned stand-up comic, the star of his own self-titled Fox sitcom and an actor who starred in several films, including the “Ocean’s 11” remakes with George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt.
One of the “Kings of Comedy,” Mac and his fellow comics D.L. Hughley, Steve Harvey and Cedric The Entertainer starred in the 2000 movie directed by Spike Lee. And one of Mac’s most underrated portrayals was in the lead role in “Mr. 3000,” a 2004 baseball comedy in which he starred opposite Angela Bassett.
With that kind of resume, it’s only right that Comedy Central is paying Mac the ultimate tribute this weekend with “I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac,” airing on Sunday, Feb. 19th at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The show will incorporate little-seen footage with Mac’s movie, stand-up and TV work to celebrate the life of a man that even other comics were awed by.
Co-stars, friends and fellow comics share their memories of Mac in “I Ain’t Scared of You.” Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Tom Arnold, Bill Bellamy, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Rock, Camille Winbush, Joe Torry, Steven Sodenburgh and others all contribute.
Mac’s wife of 31 years, Rhonda McCullough, and his daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, both share memories of their husband and father. Je’Niece actually conducted some of the interviews, and Rhonda shares her memories of the husband that was devoted to her and their family life when he wasn’t on the road.
A portion of the proceeds from the DVD version of “I Ain’t Scared Of You” will go to the Bernie Mac Foundation, which works to support awareness of sarcoidosis, a condition that Mac was diagnosed with at age 28 and that contributed to his untimely death.
