Comedian Bernie Mac may not be dead yet, but according to a source close to the funnyman's family, he was in "very, very critical" condition late Saturday at a Chicago hospital where he was admitted with pneumonia, as reported on Friday.

Calling the death rumor "horrible" and "absolutely untrue," Mac's publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement that the 50-year-old "Ocean's 11" star was "responding well to treatment and will be released soon." However, sources in the comedian's entourage disputed the claims telling Chicago Sun-times newspaper that Mac's condition was critical. His wife, Rhonda McCullough, has been with him at the hospital.

For two decades, Bernie Mac has also been suffering from sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that inflames one's organs, causing failure, and is particularly prone to attack the lungs, but according to his rep, that condition has been in remission since 2005. Most sarcoidosis cases are mild, but those that are severe can cause serious scarring in the lungs, a complication that occurs in 20 to 25 percent of patients. Mac disclosed his health problems in 2005 saying the disease hadn't limited nor altered his lifestyle.

He is expected to make a full recovery from this bout with pneumonia, and his rep asks that we respect his privacy at this time. The publicist also said she is unsure of the exact date the comedian entered the hospital.

"He asked that his privacy and that of his family is respected while he gets well," Danica said.

The Chicago native made headlines a month ago with his controversial introduction of presidential candidate Barack Obama at a democratic fundraiser.

"I’m proud of him because politics is dirty, especially with Republicans," Mac said. "People like rumors. They are going to say things like, you know, 'You was in the club with Lil’ Kim and you and Kanye West got in a fist fight.'"

"Being a president is tough ’cause you’re not just running the country. You got to run your family too," Mac said. "Having a black first lady is different. You’re still going to have to do the dishes and the laundry and all that … ‘You got to pick up the kids. You didn’t pick up the kids?’" he added.

Although Obama thanked him for his introduction, a spokesperson for Obama told media later that "Obama told Mac that he does not condone the statements and believes what was said was inappropriate."

Mac became a fan favorite with his successful sitcom, "The Bernie Mac Show," which aired between 2001 and 2006. Besides critical acclaim, his performance on the show has also brought him two Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

The comedian's movie credits include "Ocean's 11" starring alongside Hollywood's heaviest, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, "Transformers," "House Party 3," "Friday," Spike Lee's "Get on the Bus" and "Charilie's Angels."