Fellow comedians, actors and dignitaries remember him as someone 'who wasn't afraid to be himself'There they stood, three buddies at the center of the elevated pulpit, all wiping away tears and preparing to speak at the memorial service for their friend, their colleague and, in some cases, their mentor.
They appeared uncomfortable, and it took a few minutes before someone began. But as they cleared their throats, a round of applause arose from the church. It was obvious that the thousands in attendance were ready to laugh, and celebrate the life of Bernie Mac.
Cedric the Entertainer, the first to speak, surveyed the audience and delivered a line that seemed to best sum up the service.
"This dude," said the comedian and actor, "is a very, very popular guy. You know y'all were like, 'Let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town!"
The 7,000 or so in the House of Hope on the South Side roared with laughter, nodding in agreement. It was a service that was part late-night Saturday comedy show, part early morning Sunday church service—a fitting tribute to the comedian, actor and Chicago native son who died a week earlier of complications from pneumonia.
Cedric, joined by Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley, starred with Mac in the 2000 documentary "The Original Kings of Comedy." The three were joined by a long list of fellow comedians, actors and dignitaries who attended the service. Click Here to Read the Full Story
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