Never scared

The funny didn't die with Bernie Mac this morning. But it's definitely on life support.

From his first appearance on HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" in 1992, when Mac rushed the stage and let everyone know that "I ain't scared of you muthafuckas," Bernie proved that he was destined to become an irresistible comedic force.

His apex didn't last nearly long enough. Mac operated outside of the spotlight for far too long, from his small role in cult classic "Friday" - "the Lord is my Shepherd. He knows what I want" - to his hilarious appearance in House Party 3 to his star-making set in the "The Original Kings of Comedy."

AS UBM says, "I’m so glad he got to enjoy the sweet taste of show-business success."

It was in the concert film that it became apparent that Mac was finally due for a shot and some Hollywood love. His routine virtually scorched the stage, upstaging better-known (and probably better-paid) comedians Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer.

I watched the comedy show with a friend of mine - the funniest man I know personally and someone who once did a little improv work in Dallas and Chicago - and he could barely contain his laughter in the theater. In fact, he was laughing so hard at Mac's riff about a stuttering child that it got a tad embarrassing.

But Mac wasn't scared to go for a laugh about something that didn't seem so funny on the surface. He wasn't scared, at all.

And funnier because of it.