Twenty years ago, if you heard the phrase "I’m gonna kill one of them kids," you didn't call the authorities. You laughed. It was the calling card of Bernie Mac, the man who brought a raw, "tell-it-like-it-is" energy to Fox that basically redefined the family sitcom for a whole generation.
But here is the thing. When the cameras stopped rolling in 2006, the world kept moving, and for the actors on The Bernie Mac Show, life didn't exactly look like a Hollywood highlight reel. Honestly, it got pretty real, pretty fast.
The Complicated Reality of Residuals
We all assume sitcom stars are set for life. We see the reruns on BET or streaming on Hulu and think, "Man, they must be swimming in money."
Actually, they aren't.
Camille Winbush, who played the oldest niece Vanessa (aka "Nessa"), dropped a truth bomb in 2021 that shook up a lot of fans. She joined OnlyFans. People lost their minds. They were protective of "Bernie’s girls," but Camille was blunt about the situation. She explained that residuals—those checks actors get when a show airs again—aren't what they used to be. Twenty years later, those checks don't even cover a decent car note, let alone a life in Los Angeles.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. You’ve got these talented people who were part of a cultural phenomenon, yet they’re out here pivoting just like the rest of us.
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What Happened to Jordan (Jeremy Suarez)?
Jeremy Suarez was the heart of the show's physical comedy. His timing as Jordan was impeccable. Whether he was getting a "head-bust" or just being a nerd, he was a star.
Then he just... disappeared?
Not exactly. Jeremy didn't stop working, but the industry shifted. He did some high-profile voice work, most notably as Koda in Disney’s Brother Bear. But as he got older, the roles dried up.
In a pretty transparent interview, Jeremy admitted that he went through a period where he hadn't worked for six months—something that had never happened to him as a child star. He didn't just sit around waiting for the phone to ring, though. He went out and lived. He worked in retail. He worked with construction companies and as a boilermaker.
It’s kind of refreshing, right? A Hollywood kid who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty when the spotlight dims.
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Where Is "Baby Girl" Today?
Dee Dee Davis, our beloved Bryana, was only five when the show started. She had Bernie wrapped around her little finger.
Today, she’s basically retired from the "acting-acting" life. She’s a mother now—raising two kids, Logan and Leia—and she seems perfectly content staying out of the Hollywood grind. You might catch her on a podcast or making a guest appearance on a show like I Can See Your Voice, but for the most part, she's focused on her family and her own business ventures.
The Matriarch: Kellita Smith
Kellita Smith was the glue. As Wanda (pardon me, "Big Mama"), she had the impossible task of being the "straight man" to Bernie’s wild energy.
Unlike the kids, Kellita stayed deep in the industry. She’s had a massive second act.
- She starred in the cult favorite zombie series Z Nation for five seasons.
- She appeared in the Netflix hit From Scratch in 2022.
- She continues to pop up in films like Three Can Play That Game.
She’s basically the blueprint for how to transition from a legendary sitcom into a long-term, sustainable career.
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The Void Left by Bernie Mac
We can't talk about the actors on The Bernie Mac Show without acknowledging the hole left by the man himself. Bernie Mac (born Bernard McCullough) passed away in 2008 from complications of sarcoidosis.
It changed everything for the cast. They weren't just coworkers; they were a family. When Bernie died, they lost their mentor.
Even in 2026, his influence is everywhere. His daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, has been incredibly vocal lately about her father’s legacy, sharing the "darker truths" of grief and what it was like growing up with a legend. It’s a reminder that while we see these people as characters, they’re carrying real-life weight.
Surprising Facts You Might Not Know
- Camille Winbush is a trained gymnast and a talented pianist. That scene where she plays in the show? That was actually her.
- Jeremy Suarez didn't just do Brother Bear; he was the voice of Russell in the Fat Albert movie.
- The kids actually still hang out. Camille and Dee Dee are frequently seen together on social media, proving that the bond was real.
Why the Show Still Matters
The show worked because it was honest. It wasn't about "perfect" parenting; it was about a guy who was terrified of failing three kids he didn't know how to raise.
The actors brought that to life. They made us feel the frustration of a house full of people who don't listen. They made us feel the love that underlies every "I’m gonna bust your head."
If you’re looking to keep up with the cast, the best way is through their own platforms. They’ve moved past the "child star" labels and are doing their own thing.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Kellita Smith’s work on Z Nation if you want to see her in a totally different light.
- Follow Camille Winbush on social media for her latest entrepreneurial updates; she’s been involved in everything from ice cream parlors to new film projects like Lipstick.
- Re-watch the series on streaming to help boost those (admittedly small) residual checks for the cast!