Thousands Show Up To Pay Respects To Bernie Mac At Public Service
Published: Monday - August 18, 2008
Words by Liz "Red" Thomas
Bernie Mac (Photo: Getty Images)
Family, friends, peers and thousands of fans gathered at Chicago's House of Hope church on Saturday (August 16) to attend the public memorial for actor-comedian Bernie Mac, who died at the age of 50 a week ago, due to complications from pneumonia.
The memorial drew some Hollywood stars and featured emotional speeches from comedian Chris Rock, Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor Samuel L. Jackson.
The late comedian's Kings of Comedy cohorts -- Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and DL Hughley -- all sat next to each other during the service, breaking down in tears. But tears were mixed with laughter when they took the stage to say a few words.
"This dude is a very popular guy," Cedric said, 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."
Even the Mayor Richard Daley attended. He spoke briefly, recalling one of the last times he seen Mac, when he was in his office recently, asking how he could help fight violent crime in the city.
"He wanted to help get children away from a life of crime and violence," Daley said, according to the Associated Press. "That's why he's the king of comedy. He never lost his soul in Chicago."
Several other powerful people -- including Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama -- were unable to make the memorial, but their written condolences were read during the service.
The city of Chicago loved Bernie. Even the Chicago White Sox sent his wife of 30 years, Rhonda, a jersey with his name on it.
According to the AP, outside the service, traffic was tied up for blocks, while vendors sold memorial t-shirts for $10, and Chicago waiter Timothy Strickland manned a makeshift shrine featuring photos, including Mac's 1971 eighth-grade basketball team picture. A sign read: "Thank you, Bernie, for showing that good people do come from Englewood."
Also honored at the memorial was Mac's "Soul Men" co-star, Isaac Hayes, who died one day after Bernie, at the age of 65. A montage of photos and sound clips from Mac's life and career were set to some of Hayes' best-known songs.
Mac is survived by his wife, Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je'Niece, a son-in-law and a granddaughter.
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