Re: People magazine article on Bernie Mac...Written transcript

[Guest guest]

ANDERSON: The shocking loss of Bernie Mac and Isaac what

actually just starred in a movie together. Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT

exclusive, the director of that movie is right here. Welcome

back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m in Hollywood. Tonight, the

sudden deaths of comedian Bernie Mac and the legendary Isaac

within hours of each other over the weekend came as a shock to us all.

And the really strange irony is that both recently shot a film together

called "Soul Men." In New York tonight in a showbiz

exclusive, Malcolm Lee, who directed "soul men." Malcolm, thank you for

taking the time with us. Thanks for being here. We appreciate it. MALCOLM LEE, DIRECTOR, "SOUL MEN": Thank you for having me. ANDERSON:

Now, I would have to imagine, Malcolm, that it must have seemed like

you were living a nightmare. First of all, when Bernie Mac died and you

were told about it, what went through your head? LEE:

Honestly, certainly, it was hard to hear about Bernie. You know, he was

such a great guy. And it wasn`t - you never want to hear those words.

You never expect to hear them from somebody that you`ve had a

relationship with or you`ve just worked with. ANDERSON: Yes.

And then you find out that Isaac died, you know, the very next

day. We have learned that it was a stroke that killed him. When you

heard the news about Isaac, Malcolm, you must have been thinking, this

can`t be real? LEE: Yes. Absolutely. It was a very surreal

experience. You know, I`d just gotten back in the house with my family

and we were cooking lunch and then I got the news about that. And I

said, this can`t be real. This is impossible. But it was very sad to

hear about Isaac as well. ANDERSON: Yes. Just devastating, both of them, my goodness, in the same weekend, too. It`s just so tough. And

we know that Bernie Mac had been sick for a long time suffering from a

lung disease. But he never let that get in the way of his work. Take a

look at what Ashton Kutcher, who worked with Bernie on the film, "Guess

Who" told Larry King about how Bernie would come to the set and work

even when he was ill. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ASHTON

KUTCHER, ACTOR: He came back to work and he was on oxygen and actually

came to work. And between takes, he was on oxygen. And he would take

the oxygen off and do a take and then put the oxygen back on because he

couldn`t get enough oxygen into his lungs. (END VIDEO CLIP) ANDERSON: Malcolm, you worked with Bernie day in, day out on "Soul Men." Did you have any sense that he was so sick? LEE:

Well, certainly his sarcoidosis - we knew about that, you know. I

didn`t know the full extent of it. I didn`t even know what - I never

heard of the disease prior to Bernie telling me about it. And he would

always downplay it. No matter what, even if Bernie was really, really

sick, it would not stop him from working. He would have - you know,

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) take the oxygen. But he was always ready to

go when we asked for him and he never asked for special treatment and

he wanted to be treated just like anybody else. In fact, I think he

pushed himself a little bit too hard. I was like, "You know, Bernie, we

have a stunt man for what you want to do right now. You don`t have to

do that." But that`s how he lived his life. He really wanted

to do it to the fullest extent and didn`t want anybody to think that he

needed anything, any special treatment or to be treated any

differently. ANDERSON: Oh, what an incredible work ethic he

had. And is there any one memory that you have of working with these

two giants that you will never forget? LEE: When it comes to

Bernie, you know, what he did on the set was try to please the fans. I

remember we were shooting the finale of the movie and he came out on

stage and you know, it wasn`t even an introduction and the fans jumped

up. We had a big scene with a bunch of extras and they jumped up and

cheered their heads off for him. And between takes - it`s a long day

sometimes to do these scenes and he would do his impromptu stand-up and

it was hilarious. And he said, "This is why I do it. These people made

me. They love me and I love them and I owe it to them to do this for

them because they made me who I am." 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself" ( 16:24 NIV).

Only on People.com

Bernie Mac's Death: What Happened?

By Hilary Shenfeld and Ivory Jeff Clinton

Originally posted Saturday August 09, 2008 07:00 PM EDT

Bernie Mac Photo by: Pitts / Landov

Bernie Mac's wife and daughter were with him until the very end, says the late comic's sister-in-law in a personal and touching interview with PEOPLE that took place Saturday.

Speaking of a heartbreaking moment between her younger sister, Rhonda, and the 50-year-old actor-comedian –

who succumbed to complications from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital at 2 a.m. Saturday – Ann Grossett says that the night before Mac died, "He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe.

"He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."

Rhonda, Mac's wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece, 30, were with him when he died. "[The doctors] were working on him," says Grossett. "They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time."

Prior to that, the couple had last communicated

on July 31. "He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out," says Grossett.

Lung Disease ContributedThe sister-in-law says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. "He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission," she says. "But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from."

She reveals that Mac – having trouble breathing and running a fever – was actually hospitalized on July 24, eight days before the date given for his admittance. The actor was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator.

"He was critically ill when he was in the hospital," says Gossett. "He was in intensive care the whole time." She adds that doctors kept the star sedated, although he was conscious at times

and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.

His Wife's ReactionOf her widowed sibling (like Mac, Rhonda is 50), Grossett says, "She's devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her."

She says of the couple's enduring union, "They had 30 years of marriage. That's unprecedented in today's time, particularly for celebrities. That brings joy to her. They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his side to the very end."

Recalling the couple's early years, when they were still in their teens, Grossett says, "When they started dating, he said, 'Girl, you better come on board this train, because I'm going to be rich.' And her response was, 'Okay,' and they were married. That's how he charmed her, with his sense of humor."

She adds, "When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19. They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage.

'She's Going to Miss Him Dearly'"What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30 years – and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She's going to miss him dearly."

Mac's funeral is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."

~ Washington Carver

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer (AT) marykay (DOT) com www.marykay. com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

[Guest guest]

I guess when I hear Sarcoidosis I think awful disease, at least he mentioned it, it's too bad Bernie played it down, I didn't realize you could get transcripts from the show, I haven't been able to get to their site yet. Thank you

for sharing this , I just wish he would of talked about it more, why not, I guess probably because the reactionis always a mixed reaction.

ANDERSON: The shocking loss of Bernie Mac and Isaac what

actually just starred in a movie together. Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT

exclusive, the director of that movie is right here. Welcome

back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m in Hollywood. Tonight, the

sudden deaths of comedian Bernie Mac and the legendary Isaac

within hours of each other over the weekend came as a shock to us all.

And the really strange irony is that both recently shot a film together

called " Soul Men. " In New York tonight in a showbiz

exclusive, Malcolm Lee, who directed " soul men. " Malcolm, thank you for

taking the time with us. Thanks for being here. We appreciate it. MALCOLM LEE, DIRECTOR, " SOUL MEN " : Thank you for having me. ANDERSON:

Now, I would have to imagine, Malcolm, that it must have seemed like

you were living a nightmare. First of all, when Bernie Mac died and you

were told about it, what went through your head? LEE:

Honestly, certainly, it was hard to hear about Bernie. You know, he was

such a great guy. And it wasn`t - you never want to hear those words.

You never expect to hear them from somebody that you`ve had a

relationship with or you`ve just worked with. ANDERSON: Yes.

And then you find out that Isaac died, you know, the very next

day. We have learned that it was a stroke that killed him. When you

heard the news about Isaac, Malcolm, you must have been thinking, this

can`t be real? LEE: Yes. Absolutely. It was a very surreal

experience. You know, I`d just gotten back in the house with my family

and we were cooking lunch and then I got the news about that. And I

said, this can`t be real. This is impossible. But it was very sad to

hear about Isaac as well. ANDERSON: Yes. Just devastating, both of them, my goodness, in the same weekend, too. It`s just so tough. And

we know that Bernie Mac had been sick for a long time suffering from a

lung disease. But he never let that get in the way of his work. Take a

look at what Ashton Kutcher, who worked with Bernie on the film, " Guess

Who " told Larry King about how Bernie would come to the set and work

even when he was ill. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ASHTON

KUTCHER, ACTOR: He came back to work and he was on oxygen and actually

came to work. And between takes, he was on oxygen. And he would take

the oxygen off and do a take and then put the oxygen back on because he

couldn`t get enough oxygen into his lungs. (END VIDEO CLIP) ANDERSON: Malcolm, you worked with Bernie day in, day out on " Soul Men. " Did you have any sense that he was so sick? LEE:

Well, certainly his sarcoidosis - we knew about that, you know. I

didn`t know the full extent of it. I didn`t even know what - I never

heard of the disease prior to Bernie telling me about it. And he would

always downplay it. No matter what, even if Bernie was really, really

sick, it would not stop him from working. He would have - you know,

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) take the oxygen. But he was always ready to

go when we asked for him and he never asked for special treatment and

he wanted to be treated just like anybody else. In fact, I think he

pushed himself a little bit too hard. I was like, " You know, Bernie, we

have a stunt man for what you want to do right now. You don`t have to

do that. " But that`s how he lived his life. He really wanted

to do it to the fullest extent and didn`t want anybody to think that he

needed anything, any special treatment or to be treated any

differently. ANDERSON: Oh, what an incredible work ethic he

had. And is there any one memory that you have of working with these

two giants that you will never forget? LEE: When it comes to

Bernie, you know, what he did on the set was try to please the fans. I

remember we were shooting the finale of the movie and he came out on

stage and you know, it wasn`t even an introduction and the fans jumped

up. We had a big scene with a bunch of extras and they jumped up and

cheered their heads off for him. And between takes - it`s a long day

sometimes to do these scenes and he would do his impromptu stand-up and

it was hilarious. And he said, " This is why I do it. These people made

me. They love me and I love them and I owe it to them to do this for

them because they made me who I am. " 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the

Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself " ( 16:24 NIV).

Only on People.com

Bernie Mac's Death: What Happened?

By Hilary Shenfeld and Ivory Jeff Clinton

Originally posted Saturday August 09, 2008 07:00 PM EDT

Bernie Mac Photo by: Pitts / Landov

Bernie Mac's wife and daughter were with him until the very end, says the late comic's sister-in-law in a personal and touching interview with PEOPLE that took place Saturday.

Speaking of a heartbreaking moment between her younger sister, Rhonda, and the 50-year-old actor-comedian –

who succumbed to complications from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital at 2 a.m. Saturday – Ann Grossett says that the night before Mac died, " He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe.

" He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired. "

Rhonda, Mac's wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece, 30, were with him when he died. " [The doctors] were working on him, " says Grossett. " They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time. "

Prior to that, the couple had last communicated

on July 31. " He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out, " says Grossett.

Lung Disease ContributedThe sister-in-law says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. " He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission, " she says. " But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from. "

She reveals that Mac – having trouble breathing and running a fever – was actually hospitalized on July 24, eight days before the date given for his admittance. The actor was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator.

" He was critically ill when he was in the hospital, " says Gossett. " He was in intensive care the whole time. " She adds that doctors kept the star sedated, although he was conscious at times

and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.

His Wife's ReactionOf her widowed sibling (like Mac, Rhonda is 50), Grossett says, " She's devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her. "

She says of the couple's enduring union, " They had 30 years of marriage. That's unprecedented in today's time, particularly for celebrities. That brings joy to her. They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his side to the very end. "

Recalling the couple's early years, when they were still in their teens, Grossett says, " When they started dating, he said, 'Girl, you better come on board this train, because I'm going to be rich.' And her response was, 'Okay,' and they were married. That's how he charmed her, with his sense of humor. "

She adds, " When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19. They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage.

'She's Going to Miss Him Dearly' " What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30 years – and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She's going to miss him dearly. "

Mac's funeral is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.

" How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these. "

~ Washington Carver

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer (AT) marykay (DOT) com

www.marykay. com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer@... www.marykay.com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

[Guest guest]

The Ashton Kutcher/Bernie Mac movie came out in 2005 and if he was on oxygen then and still this year there certainly was no remission. 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself" ( 16:24 NIV).

Only on People.com

Bernie Mac's Death: What Happened?

By Hilary Shenfeld and Ivory Jeff Clinton

Originally posted Saturday August 09, 2008 07:00 PM EDT

Bernie Mac Photo by: Pitts / Landov

Bernie Mac's wife and daughter were with him until the very end, says the late comic's sister-in-law in a personal and touching interview with PEOPLE that took place Saturday.

Speaking of a heartbreaking moment between her younger sister, Rhonda, and the 50-year-old actor-comedian –

who succumbed to complications from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital at 2 a.m. Saturday – Ann Grossett says that the night before Mac died, "He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe.

"He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."

Rhonda, Mac's wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece, 30, were with him when he died. "[The doctors] were working on him," says Grossett. "They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time."

Prior to that, the couple had last communicated

on July 31. "He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out," says Grossett.

Lung Disease ContributedThe sister-in-law says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. "He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission," she says. "But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from."

She reveals that Mac – having trouble breathing and running a fever – was actually hospitalized on July 24, eight days before the date given for his admittance. The actor was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator.

"He was critically ill when he was in the hospital," says Gossett. "He was in intensive care the whole time." She adds that doctors kept the star sedated, although he was conscious at times

and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.

His Wife's ReactionOf her widowed sibling (like Mac, Rhonda is 50), Grossett says, "She's devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her."

She says of the couple's enduring union, "They had 30 years of marriage. That's unprecedented in today's time, particularly for celebrities. That brings joy to her. They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his side to the very end."

Recalling the couple's early years, when they were still in their teens, Grossett says, "When they started dating, he said, 'Girl, you better come on board this train, because I'm going to be rich.' And her response was, 'Okay,' and they were married. That's how he charmed her, with his sense of humor."

She adds, "When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19. They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage.

'She's Going to Miss Him Dearly'"What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30 years – and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She's going to miss him dearly."

Mac's funeral is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."

~ Washington Carver

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer (AT) marykay (DOT) com

www.marykay. com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer (AT) marykay (DOT) com www.marykay. com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

[Guest guest]

That's for sure, I would think he would have to have been on some medication too? too bad, too young.

The Ashton Kutcher/Bernie Mac movie came out in 2005 and if he was on oxygen then and still this year there certainly was no remission. 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the

Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself " ( 16:24 NIV).

Only on People.com

Bernie Mac's Death: What Happened?

By Hilary Shenfeld and Ivory Jeff Clinton

Originally posted Saturday August 09, 2008 07:00 PM EDT

Bernie Mac Photo by: Pitts / Landov

Bernie Mac's wife and daughter were with him until the very end, says the late comic's sister-in-law in a personal and touching interview with PEOPLE that took place Saturday.

Speaking of a heartbreaking moment between her younger sister, Rhonda, and the 50-year-old actor-comedian –

who succumbed to complications from pneumonia in a Chicago hospital at 2 a.m. Saturday – Ann Grossett says that the night before Mac died, " He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe.

" He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired. "

Rhonda, Mac's wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece, 30, were with him when he died. " [The doctors] were working on him, " says Grossett. " They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time. "

Prior to that, the couple had last communicated

on July 31. " He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out, " says Grossett.

Lung Disease ContributedThe sister-in-law says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. " He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission, " she says. " But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from. "

She reveals that Mac – having trouble breathing and running a fever – was actually hospitalized on July 24, eight days before the date given for his admittance. The actor was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator.

" He was critically ill when he was in the hospital, " says Gossett. " He was in intensive care the whole time. " She adds that doctors kept the star sedated, although he was conscious at times

and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.

His Wife's ReactionOf her widowed sibling (like Mac, Rhonda is 50), Grossett says, " She's devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her. "

She says of the couple's enduring union, " They had 30 years of marriage. That's unprecedented in today's time, particularly for celebrities. That brings joy to her. They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his side to the very end. "

Recalling the couple's early years, when they were still in their teens, Grossett says, " When they started dating, he said, 'Girl, you better come on board this train, because I'm going to be rich.' And her response was, 'Okay,' and they were married. That's how he charmed her, with his sense of humor. "

She adds, " When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19. They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage.

'She's Going to Miss Him Dearly' " What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30 years – and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She's going to miss him dearly. "

Mac's funeral is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.

" How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these. "

~ Washington Carver

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer (AT) marykay (DOT) com

www.marykay. com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer (AT) marykay (DOT) com

www.marykay. com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope

-- Marla Bramer Independent Beauty Consultant Kaymbramer@... www.marykay.com

'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope