The unexpected death of comedian and actor Bernie Mac Saturday morning at only 50 has left fans, friends and colleagues in shock and grief.

Bernie Mac was hospitalized a week ago in a Chicago hospital for pneumonia and it was soon being reported that his condition was very serious and that it was a life or death situation.

His rep responded to these concerning reports by saying he was “still alive” and undergoing treatment for pneumonia at a Chicago hospital. Danica Smith, representative fro the comedian-actor, told People.com at the time that Bernie Mac was “expected to make a full recovery.”

Reports quieted down after this as the media waited for more news regarding Bernie Mac’s condition and the evolution of his recovery.

The actor had revealed a few years ago that he suffered from sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease he had been diagnosed with some two decades ago. His rep told the magazine his current hospitalization was not connected to his sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation in the lungs, lymph nodes and other organs.

Mac had been in remission from sarcoidosis since 2005.

His rep asked for privacy for the ill actor and his family once more and that was that. Until Saturday morning, when it was announced that the 50-year-old father and grandfather had passed away.

“[He] passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital,” Danica Smith told People.com, asking once more for the family’s privacy and saying no other details would be available for the time being.

Bernie Mac had been at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since Aug.1. An unnamed source had told the Chicago Sun-Times that the actor was in “very, very critical” condition but his rep consistently downplayed rumors.

Bernie Mac, real name Bernard McCullough, had been married to Rhonda McCullough since 1977. The couple’s daughter, Je’Niece, born in 1978, has been married since 2003 and has a daughter, Jasmine.

Bernie Mac appeared in “Ocean’s Eleven,” alongside Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and the subsequent “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Ocean’s Thirteen” sequels.

His former co-stars remembered him fondly and spoke graciously of the greatly talented actor. “The world just got a little less funny. He will be missed dearly,” George Clooney said.

Brad Pitt lauded Bernie Mac as “a ferociously funny and hardcore family man,” sending his thoughts to Rhonda and the family.

Samuel L. Jackson, who stars opposite Mac in this fall’s “Soul Men,” said the actor was evidently “one of the preeminent comedians of our generation.”

Don Cheadle, who likewise starred in the “Ocean’s” trilogy, said Bernie Mac had “brought so much joy to so many.” Added Cheadle, “He will be missed but heaven just got funnier.”

Mac’s career spanned a good three decades, beginning as a stand-up comedian in Chicago’s comedy clubs in 1977. His film career began with a small part in the Damon Wayans film “Mo Money in 1992” and he went on to star in several delicious comedies, including 2005’s “Guess Who,” a remake of Sidney Poitier’s 1967 film “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.” The remake costarred Aston Kutcher and Zoe Saldana.

Bernie Mac also played Bosley in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and appeared in “Bad Santa,” with Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Bay’s “Transformers.”

The comedian also starred in his own Fox sitcom titled “The Bernie Mac Show” from 2001 to 2006 earned two Emmy Award nominations.