Bernie Mac's wife, Rhonda, is comforted in front of a large poster of Mac, which she embraced before the start of a memorial service for the comedian.
Thousands of fans of late comedian Bernie Mac streamed into a South Side memorial service Saturday to hear Hollywood and political celebrities remember a Chicagoan who made people laugh on both TV and the big screen. Mac's fellow Original Kings of Comedy brought the house down as they broke down in tears, unable to contain their grief. In the same sentence, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley would flip a joke, causing the crowd to scream in laughter. "This dude is a very popular guy," Cedric said of Mac. "You know y'all were like `let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town." Hughley recalled Mac's well-known taste in clothes. "Bernie would wear colors that crayon hadn't even invented," he said. Rev. Jesse Jackson told the audience "Bernie Mac is a serious funnyman" who loved his family and cared about the tomorrow's youth. Jackson recalled that Mac recently told students at Crane High School that they should "live above their circumstances" and not "self-destruct." "Between birth and death is a dash," Jackson said. "But between that dash between birth and death, he made a statement."
Oprah Winfrey, Sen. Barack Obama. Rep. Maxine Waters and the O'Jays sent their condolences. "Michelle and I were so deeply sad to hear about your loss. ... He ... (made) us laugh and laugh hard," read Obama's statement. Obama went on to write that Mac could say things others couldn't. "Bernie Mac will be sorely missed," he wrote. Actor Andy Garcia, who starred with Mac in "Ocean's 11," sent along remarks, saying "I'll see you upstairs." Don Cheadle, another actor from that film, was in attendance. The White Sox organization delivered a #1 jersey with Mac's name on it to his widow, Rhonda. Comic and actor Chris Rock also took the stage.
As part of the acknowledgments, they aired a tribute to both Mac and Hayes, playing snippets of some of Mac's famous comedy routines -- the profanity was bleeped out -- over some of Hayes' more famous compositions. Inside the church, rows of burgundy-colored soft cushion chairs were set up in front of the stage. On either side of the stage, two large projector screens flashed photos of Bernie Mac's life. The photos showed film stills from Mac's career, red carpet photos from events like the Golden Globes and private moments with friends and family members. The crowd inside cheered and clapped when new celebrities arrived. People took photos and hugged celebrities that they were able to call over.
Some people slept outside overnight to guarantee a place inside the 10,000-seat House of Hope at 752 E. 114th St. Doors opened at 10:30 a.m. for a memorial that began about a half-hour after its scheduled noon start.
CONTINUE READING ARTICLE BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!' AND VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM BERNIE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE.
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SOURCE: CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
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Some people slept outside overnight to guarantee a place inside the 10,000-seat House of Hope at 752 E. 114th St. Doors opened at 10:30 a.m. for a memorial that began about a half-hour after its scheduled noon start.
CONTINUE READING ARTICLE BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!' AND VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM BERNIE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE.
CONTINUE READING ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE.
SOURCE: CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
CLICK ON PICS TO SEE THEIR FULL IMAGE.
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