Bernie Mac — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Bernie Mac.
1957
Born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on October 5 in Chicago, Illinois
1977
Began performing comedy at local Chicago clubs while still a teenager
1990
Appeared on HBO's 'Def Comedy Jam', gaining national exposure for his stand-up comedy
1992
Released debut comedy album 'I Don't Want the Smoke'
2000
Starred in the film 'Ocean's Eleven' and continued expanding into acting
2001
Began starring in the hit TV series 'The Bernie Mac Show' on Fox
2004
Appeared in 'Ocean's Twelve' and released Grammy-nominated comedy special 'The King of Comedy'
2006
Hosted the Academy Awards (Oscars) ceremony
2008
Disclosed his diagnosis with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease
2021
Died on August 9 from pneumonia, a complication of his sarcoidosis