Bernie Mac is Gone.

I was checking out my Facebook when someone said "I am deeply saddened by the sudden death of one of the greatest comedians of all time. Bernie Mac died of pneumonia today."

What???! I was so shocked. I just watched re-runs of Oceans 11 a few weeks ago. And how strange to hear that he died of pneumonia. Something too simple, not a real threat to someone's life. But it was true as a barrage of announcements on the internet proved. One of the biggest names is American comedy is gone.

I remember him best from Charlie's Angels, taking over Bill Murray for part 2 and 3, and of course Ocean's 11. It was only when I read through some articles about him that I saw what a tough history he had. Born to a single mom who died when he was 16, taking on manual jobs as a driver and janitor. But even when he was young he knew that he wanted to be a comedian, even if it meant starting off by telling jokes for tips at the subway, and places where no one else wanted to do stand up comedy infront of street and motorcycle gangs, or gay balls. But he did it, and I doubt if he'll be easily forgotten long after his last joke's been played.

Read more from the NYTimes. Photo from GII.