American comedian Bernie Mac died early Saturday morning in a Chicago hospital, according to his publicist, Danica Smith. 

"Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia," Smith said in a statement from Los Angeles. She said no other details were available and asked that his family's privacy be respected. 

The Chicago-born performer, nominated for two Emmys, had been treated for pneumonia and was admitted to hospital on Aug. 1.

"In real life, he was very much like his character on [The Bernie Mac Show]," his daughter, Je'niece Childress, told the Associated Press on Saturday. The series ran on Fox from 2001 to 2006.