2008 Woodie Awards
National Arts and Entertainment
by Dustin Ingram
Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: A&E
Thousands of fans, family members, and friends congregated at the House of Hope church in Chicago on Saturday to pay their respects to actor-comedian Bernie Mac, who died last week due to complications from pneumonia.
The memorial was filled with many celebrities who delivered emotional speeches on the life on Mac. Rev. Jessie Jackson and actors Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Rock were a few who spoke to the crowd.
Cedric the Entertainer, DL Hughley, and Steve Harvey, all Mac's fellow Original Kings of Comedy, sat beside each other, breaking down in tears during the memorial. They each mixed their grief with laughter as they delivered comical speeches with regards to Mac's life.
"Bernie would wear colors that crayon hadn't even invented," said Hughley, joking about Mac's well-known taste in fashion.
"This dude is a very popular guy," said Cedric, according to the Chicago Tribune. "You know y'all were like, 'let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town."
The Chicago White Sox, Mac's favorite baseball team, sent his wife of 30 years, Rhonda, a jersey with his name on it. Oprah Winfrey, actor Andy Garcia, and presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, sent written condolences. "Michelle and I were so deeply sad to hear about your loss," Sen. Obama's statement read. "He [made] us laugh, and laugh hard. Bernie Mac will be sorely missed."
Also honored at the service was one of Mac's Soul Men costars, Isaac Hayes, who died one day after Mac. A collaboration of photos and sound bites from Mac's life and career were paired to some of Hayes' most well-known songs. Hayes died at the age of 65.
Many fans arrived by caravans or buses, waiting in line for a space in the 10,000-seat building. Many people camped out the night before the memorial service. Inside House of Hope church, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley addressed the congregation, praising Mac for his devotion to making Chicago a safer place.
"He represented Chicago in a way that he knew the street. He knew the people and that's why he's the king of comedy," said Daley. "He had a heart and passion, and that's why as the king of comedy, he never lost his soul in Chicago."
Mac died at age 50.
The memorial was filled with many celebrities who delivered emotional speeches on the life on Mac. Rev. Jessie Jackson and actors Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Rock were a few who spoke to the crowd.
Cedric the Entertainer, DL Hughley, and Steve Harvey, all Mac's fellow Original Kings of Comedy, sat beside each other, breaking down in tears during the memorial. They each mixed their grief with laughter as they delivered comical speeches with regards to Mac's life.
"Bernie would wear colors that crayon hadn't even invented," said Hughley, joking about Mac's well-known taste in fashion.
"This dude is a very popular guy," said Cedric, according to the Chicago Tribune. "You know y'all were like, 'let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town."
The Chicago White Sox, Mac's favorite baseball team, sent his wife of 30 years, Rhonda, a jersey with his name on it. Oprah Winfrey, actor Andy Garcia, and presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, sent written condolences. "Michelle and I were so deeply sad to hear about your loss," Sen. Obama's statement read. "He [made] us laugh, and laugh hard. Bernie Mac will be sorely missed."
Also honored at the service was one of Mac's Soul Men costars, Isaac Hayes, who died one day after Mac. A collaboration of photos and sound bites from Mac's life and career were paired to some of Hayes' most well-known songs. Hayes died at the age of 65.
Many fans arrived by caravans or buses, waiting in line for a space in the 10,000-seat building. Many people camped out the night before the memorial service. Inside House of Hope church, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley addressed the congregation, praising Mac for his devotion to making Chicago a safer place.
"He represented Chicago in a way that he knew the street. He knew the people and that's why he's the king of comedy," said Daley. "He had a heart and passion, and that's why as the king of comedy, he never lost his soul in Chicago."
Mac died at age 50.
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