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Bernie Mac Biography

Birth Name:Bernard Jeffrey McCollough

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Writer, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Helped set up the Bernie Mac Foundation in 2007 to offer support to sufferers and researchers of Sarcoidosis, a disease he was diagnosed with in 1983
Named one of the 50 best Stand-Up comics of all time by Rolling Stone in 2017
Awarded for Individual Achievement in Comedy at the Television Critics Association Awards for "The Bernie Mac Show" in 2002
His show "The Bernie Mac Show" won a Peabody Award in 2002
Graduated from Chicago Vocational High School in 1975
During his 20s, he worked jobs ranging from furniture mover to UPS agent, and didn't gain popularity as a comedian until he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search when he was 32 years old
Made his film debut with a small part as a club doorman in 1992's "Mo' Money․"
Gave his first standup comedy performance at a church dinner when he was 8 years old
Quote: "Wherever I am, I have to play․ I have to put on a good show․"
Quote: "[on his mother] "Woman believed in me․ She believed in me long before I believed․""
Cited his influences as The Three Stooges and comics Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx
His edgy style of comedy combined impersonations, his memories of growing up in a large family and pure shock value
Couldn't afford a suit for his first professional comedy gig, and had to borrow one from his brother for the 1977 performance at The Cotton Club in Chicago
Wrote a memoir called "Maybe You Never Cry Again," which was released in 2004
A gun owner, he liked the marksmanship and discipline he believed it takes to operate and maintain a gun
Became a professional comedian at 19

Awards

2002Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a New Comedy Series: nominated
2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actor, Comedy: nominated
2002TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: winner
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2003Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2003Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actor: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2003Prism Award-Perfomance in a Comedy Series: winner
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
2003Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor - Comedy: nominated
2004BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2004BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Box Office Movie: nominated
2004BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2004Family Television Award-Actor: winner
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2004Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2004Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actor: nominated
2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
2004Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor - Comedy: nominated
2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Theatrical Film: nominated
2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Theatrical Film: nominated
2005Black Reel-Best Actor, Muscial or Comedy: winner
2005Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2005Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2005Blimp Award-Favorite TV Actor: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Chemistry: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Rockstar Moment: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor: Comedy: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Rumble: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Dance Scene: nominated
2006Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2006Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actor: nominated
2007Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Chemistry: nominated