ET confirms that comedian Bernie Mac, 50, died of complications from pneumonia at a Chicago-area hospital this morning.

Mac's publicist, Danica Smith, asked that his family's privacy be respected. Mac's case of pneumonia had caused him to be hospitalized recently.

The comic actor got his start as a stand-up comedian in Chicago. His semi-autobiographical family-themed sitcom, "The Bernie Mac Show," about a husband and wife who raise their nieces and nephew, premiered on FOX in 2001 and had a successful five season run. The show garnered Mac two Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations. Mac also appeared on the big screen in such films as 'Friday,' the 'Ocean's Eleven' series, 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle,' 'Bad Santa,' 'Guess Who' and 'Mr. 3000.'

People magazine reported Saturday that a funeral for Mac is scheduled for Friday, August 15. The magazine also reported that the Mac family is requesting donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoiditis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago, IL, 60605.