Bernie Mac, the actor and comedian died today at just 50 years old.

Publicist Danica Smith confirmed the death in a statement but gave no further details. “We ask that his family’s privacy continues to be respected,” she said.

His hospitalization was announced on August 1. At the time, his publicist said his illness was unrelated to a chronic tissue inflammation called sarcoidosis, which had been in remission since 2005.

Mac made numerous TV and Stage appearances including “The Bernie Mac Show,” which ran for five seasons until 2006 and lives on in syndication.

Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on Oct. 5, 1957, in Chicago. He grew up on the city’s South Side, living with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather was the deacon of a Baptist church.