UPDATE: As of August 7, Bernie is reportedly in stable condition and “responding well to treatment.”

Bernie Mac, the former star of The Bernie Mac Show, has been hospitalized for several days now for a case of pneumonia. Unfortunately, reports on how the comedian is faring varies from source to source.

This weekend, a rep for the Ocean’s Eleven star denied reports that the star had passed away. Publicist Danica Smith claimed the 50-year-old was responding well to treatment and was expected to go home soon. But a post in yesterday’s Chicago Sun-Times tells an entirely different story. A source close to the family tells the newspaper that Mac (a.k.a. Bernard McCullough) is actually in “very, very critical” condition.

Back in 2004, production on Mac’s FOX series halted while he was being treated for sarcoidosis. The chronic disease, which he had been diagnosed with earlier in his life, can inflame tissues. Although his hospitalization at that time had pneumonia ties, Smith says her client’s current medical issue is not sarcoidosis-reated.

Whatever the story, we sincerely wish Bernie a speedy recovery.