Us Magazine
Friends and co-stars of comedian
Bernie Mac are speaking out
following his Saturday morning death.
"The world just got a little less funny,"
Oceans 13 co-star
George Clooney said in a statement to
Entertainment Tonight.
"He will be dearly missed."
Adds
Oceans' co-star
Don Cheadle, in a statement to
E!: "This is a very sad day for many of us who knew and
loved Bernie. He brought so much joy to so many. He will be missed,
but heaven just got funnier."
Mac, 50, passed away due to pneumonia
complications early Saturday morning in a Chicago-area
hospital, his rep confirmed to Usmagazine.com. He had been admitted
to the hospital August 1, but was expected to make a full recovery
after a few weeks of treatment.
See more photos of stars gone too soon.
"
Bernie Mac was one of the best and funniest comedians to ever
live, but that was the second best thing he did," says
Chris Rock,
who worked with Mac in animated flick,
Return to Madagascar:
Escape 2 Africa. "Bernie was one of the greatest friends a
person could have.
"Losing him is like losing 12 people, because he absolutely filled
up any room he was in," Rock continues. "I'm gonna' miss the Mac
Man."
Earlier Saturday,
former co-star Niecy Nash told Us, "His passing
is such a major loss to the acting and comedy communities.
"
Bernie Mac was the personification of the word 'real.' He kept it
real," she said. "That kind of genuine spirit that he carried all
time cannot be easily duplicated, but I will do my very best to
try."
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