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Gerald Washington shared a letter in the
To the people we love group 1 years, 4 months ago A King Of Comedy
Gerald WashingtonDear Bernie Mac,
When I was 18, I got to watch your show ”The Bernie Mac Show” with my oldest sister, even though I knew about the show for a while. When she put the DVD into her DVD player, and we started watching it together, I quickly started laughing hard at the things you were saying and how you said those words.
But, the more I watched the show, the more I would learn that there was a kind heart behind your tough exterior. You would also remind me of a few family members, in terms of how you tried to discipline your sister’s kids on the show. You would start to feel like family to me, even though we never met in life.
I’ve never felt that kind of connection to a celebrity before you.
As I would get more into your work (movies and your stand-up), I would be inspired by how you spoke your mind, even though it could be some very shocking stuff. But, your fearlessness to say bold things in front of lots of people in your stand-ups, inspired me to speak my mind in my own way.
Even though you passed away in 2008, your fearlessness, courage, and big heart continue to move me through your interviews, stand up & movie clips on YouTube.
Thank you for helping me find my own strength and courage.
Gerald
Gerald,
This letter is really good. Reading it after hearing you read it during the workshop it really is great. Bernie Mac was one of my favorite comedians. One of my favorite movies of his was Mr. 3000, it’s because of baseball that I really got into that movie. Though lost Amidst the belly aching laughter in that movie is a great story about someone becoming the person they need to be. His character really goes through a true journey of growth and realization that might be hard to see through the comedy.
One thing most people don’t know is he died from a very chronic inflammatory disease called Sarcoidosis. To imagine how painful it would’ve been for him but still being able to make people laugh. Another favorite of movie he was in was Head of State where he teamed up with Chris Rock to make an awesome and funny movie that was sorta of a preliminary view to what would come to be only a few years later when Barack Obama was elected President.
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Thanks, Roger.
Mr. 3000 is a good movie. You’re right about his character going through a journey to become a team player. I love Head Of State! That’s one of my favorite movies! Chris Rock and Bernie Mac were so good together. Bernie killed me throughout the whole movie. Yeah, it’s wild that Barrack Obama became president a few years after that movie came out. Yeah, Sarcoidosis made life hard for him toward the end of his life. His persistence to keep people laughing through it is admirable.
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What? I’m so shocked from reading this letter! Because I didn’t know he passed away until reading this letter. I used to watch a lot of his shows when I was younger. I wasn’t really a person who looked up people in movies back then but I do now. This is soooo crazy…. Your letter is amazing I’m glad you had a star to look up to and encourage you.
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Thanks, Kayjah. Yeah, it was the first celebrity death that really shocked me. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t watch him for years until I finally accepted that he was gone. That’s cool that you used to watch his shows when you were younger. It’s wild to believe that he has been gone for 14 years now.
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This is wonderful and very nice of you to place Bernie Mac as one of your inspirational people. That he was. He touched so many lives with his comedy, as well as mine. Just to laugh out loud when things are going on in your life that may not be good at the time, is something some just don’t get, but I did and do. No he never censored his words/statements but that’s OK, he just spoke the truth and it really wasn’t for kids or anyone who can’t deal. He made a mark in this world, a mark many will never be able to copy. He will definitely be missed.
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Thank you, Karen. He did touch a lot of lives with his comedy and big heart. It feels great to laugh to get away from the stresses of this world. He spoke a lot of truth in his comedy, I agree with you on that. He definitely didn’t censor his words. Lol. That’s one of the things I admired about him. He is missed.
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