“When I hit my 20s, I struggled to make it. I got married at 19, and my daughter, Je'Niece, was born a year later. I worked blue collar jobs during the day and comedy clubs at night, and I was earning about $25 a year doing stand-up.”

American stand-up comedian, actor and film producer

Bernie Mac, born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and film producer. He worked across stage, television, and film, and is remembered for his sharp comic presence and his starring roles in the 2000s. He died in 2008 at the age of 50. He was part of The Original Kings of Comedy, where he joined Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L. Hughley as one of the “Big Four” comedians. He also starred in The Bernie Mac Show from 2001 to 2006, which brought him two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. His film credits included Frank Catton in the Ocean’s series, the title role in Mr. 3000, and starring parts in The Players Club, Head of State, Bad Santa, Guess Who, Pride, and Soul Men.