Actor Bernie Mac and Musician Isaac Hayes Die
Prominent African American Entertainers Die on Same Weekend
News broke on the evening of August 9th that actor/comedian Bernie Mac had died due to complications from pneumonia. Just 24 hours later it was confirmed that actor/musician Isaac Hayes had died of unknown causes.
Bernie Mac
Bernie Mac, 50, real name Bernard McCullough, was the well-loved actor in the Ocean’s 11 series, Mr. 3000, Transformers, Guess Who?, and was one of the Original Kings of Comedy.
Mac was from Chicago's South Side and started his career by doing stand-up comedy in clubs around Chicago. He ended up on the Original Kings of Comedy tour and starred in Spike Lee’s movie by the same title. His movie career took-off from there and he starred in his own sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show, from 2001-2006. The show netted Mac several NAACP Image Awards and a Peabody Award.
Health Scare
Early 2005, Mac revealed he suffered from an autoimmune disorder called sarcoidosis. This disease causes inflammation in several organs including the lungs and lymph nodes. At the time, Mac said it did not hinder his lifestyle at all.
It was believed his disease went into remission in 2005 yet Mac contracted pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital due to constricted airways and a fever. His condition worsened over the next two weeks and he eventually succumbed to his symptoms on the morning of August 9th. His wife of 30 years, Rhonda, and daughter Je’Niece were by his side while doctors tried twice to revive him.
Mac’s publicist, Danica Smith, told Chicago’s Sun-Times his disease was unrelated to the pneumonia.
Upon hearing the tragic news, Ocean’s 11 co-star George Clooney said, “The world just got a little less funny. He will be missed dearly.” Mac’s Original Kings of Comedy colleague Steve Harvey expressed shock and sadness to the Sun-Times. “I’m just numb. I’m totally stunned and very sad,” said Harvey.
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes, 65, was a soul musician best known for the theme song from the movie Shaft released in 1971. According to the Associated Press, Hayes won an Oscar for Best Original Song for Shaft which made him the first African-American to ever win that award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Hayes also exercised his acting chops in movies like Hot Truck Turner and Hustle and Flow. In a strange twist of fate, Hayes and Bernie Mac are both slated to appear in the upcoming movie Soul Men with Samuel L. Jackson.
SouthPark
Hayes was best known to a younger generation as the voice of Chef on the foul-mouthed cartoon SouthPark. Hayes abruptly quit the show in 2006 after five seasons. The shows creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, suggested Hayes quit because of the jokes the show made about Scientology, Hayes’ religion.
Health Problems
Hayes had a stroke in 2006 and had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. On Sunday morning, family members found Hayes unconscious next to a still-running treadmill in his basement. No foul play has been suspected.
Hayes is survived by wife Adjowa, his two-year-old son Nana and reportedly 12 other children.
Isaac Hayes
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