Rhonda McCullough recalls having not seen the appeal in Bernie Mac, a man who would not only one day become her husband but also a world-famous comedian, when she first met him in high school.
“I noticed that all of the girls liked him and I kept wondering what it was about him that they liked,” says McCullough, noting that she – being a typical shallow teenager – did not find him attractive. “We had this mutual friend named Morris who liked my girlfriend at the time and one day Morris wanted to take my girlfriend over to Bernard's house but she would not go if i did not go.”
McCullough did not want to go, though – a feeling that was amplified upon learning Mac would be there. However, being a good friend, she tagged along and, lo and behold, she suddenly discovered that Mac was not only a nice and charismatic guy but also extremely funny. McCullough says that from that point forward, Mac had her hooked.
“I Ain't Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac” traces Mac's journey from his stand-up in underground Chicago comedy clubs to the big screen in Hollywood. The documentary revisits much of his work through exclusive recordings of early stand-up, featured scenes from his film and TV appearances and interviews with his co-stars.
“There was no difference in him,” says McCullough, who produced the project, which will be available beginning Feb. 21 on DVD at retail stores and rental outlets throughout the Valley. “He went from working for Wonderbread to being a superstar. The only thing that changed was his job. He always remained the same funny, kind, humble guy.”
McCullough, who admits that she used to be quite shy and therefore made every attempt to stay in the background, believes that the most significant thing that Mac taught her was to simply stand tall and have confidence in herself. She adds that while their marriage had its ups and downs just like any other, there was always humor in their home.
“Even if I was angry with him, he could always get a good laugh from me,” McCullough explains. “I think that I was one of his biggest fans because I laughed at everything he said. A lot of his material came from real life. When he tried something out on me that was about me and I did not like it, I told him, 'You had better not say that or put it in your act.' And he wouldn't.”
At the end of the day, McCullough is glad that she agreed to help produce the documentary about her husband. After all, she sees “I Ain't Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac” as the perfect way for Mac's fans to remember the comedian, who passed away in 2008 from complications associated with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease.
“It always feels good to speak of your loved one,” says McCullough, noting that she is actively involved in the Bernie Mac Foundation, which is dedicated to improving care for sarcoidosis patients and to finding a cure for the disease. “It helps you keep them alive in your heart. It was just good to hear his voice. There were some moments that I got teary eyed, remembering that he is no longer here with us. But, for the most part, it was good to see it.”
“I Ain't Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac” (NR – 61 minutes) is now available on DVD at retail stores and rental outlets throughout the Valley.
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