Comedian Bernie Mac dead at age 50

CHICAGO, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Comedian Bernie Mac, known for his roles in films like "Guess Who," died Saturday morning at a Chicago hospital at the age of 50, the Chicago Sun-Times said.

The actor-comic, who had been hospitalized for pneumonia this month, died of unconfirmed causes at Northwestern Memorial hospital.

"It brought tears to my eyes because Bernie Mac has always been my all-time favorite entertainer and comedian. It pains me to have to report that," said Sun-Times columnist Stella Foster.

The comedian's sudden death comes in the wake of a statement from his publicist, Danica Smith, who said Thursday that Mac's condition had stabilized.

Smith had repeatedly denied that Mac's bout of pneumonia was related to a pre-diagnosed inflammatory lung disease the actor suffered from, the Sun-Times said.

People magazine said the actor, whose real name was Bernard McCullough, is survived by his wife, Rhonda McCullough; a daughters, Je'Niece; and a granddaughter, Jasmine.