An Original King of Comedy is set to be saluted when the World Premiere of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” debuts on Comedy Central Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
One of the brightest and most influential comics to ever walk onto a stage is honored with a documentary that is as unpredictable as the man himself. “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” follows the development of Mac’s unique performance style and his rise to fame. A tireless perfectionist, Mac’s comedy began in small backroom comedy clubs in Chicago and grew to break through barriers making him an iconic figure in the entertainment world. The tribute unearths early footage and never-before-seen performances in addition to his better-known work, including the Kings of Comedy Tour, “The Bernie Mac Show” and several of his feature films, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes memories.
Bernie Mac, who passed away in 2008, won over the audience with his very first appearance on “Def Comedy Jam,“ when he took the microphone and exclaimed to the crowd “I Ain’t Scared of You!” It was his sharp-tongued humor, mastered in the streets of Chicago, that had people rolling in the aisles, but it was Mac’s sly smile and warm wit that kept them coming back.
“‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” features exclusive interviews with his co-stars, colleagues, friends and family including Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Angela Bassett, Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Don Cheadle, Cameron Diaz, Mike Epps, Andy Garcia, D.L. Hughley, Warren Hutcherson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali LeRoi, Rhonda McCullough, Je’Niece McCullough, Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Kellita Smith, Steven Soderbergh, Joe Torry and Camille Winbush.
Bernie’s beloved and dedicated widow, Rhonda McCullough, played a huge role in the inception and production of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac.” Rhonda McCullough supplied footage and told the story of her life with Mac: how they met, how she always supported him and how strongly they loved one another. Mac’s daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, conducted many of the interviews in the special with each story contributing to the picture of Mac as an exceptional artist, father and friend.
“‘I Ain’t Scared of You’ A Tribute to Bernie Mac” was directed by comedy film maker Robert Small (“Back from Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison“) and executive produced by Al Hassas, Rhonda McCullough, and Small.
Mac’s legacy lives on through the Bernie Mac Foundation. Mac founded the foundation in 2007 to bring awareness to Sarcoidosis and to support research of the disease. The foundation was a true passion project for Mac, who was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis when he was 28 years old. More information on the foundation can be found on www.berniemacfoundation.org. A portion of the proceeds of the DVD sales of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” will benefit The Bernie Mac Foundation.