Acting
Fred Berry
Fred Allen Berry (March 19, 1951 – October 21, 2003) was a prominent American actor and street dancer, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Fred "Rerun" Stubbs in the beloved 1970s sitcom What's Happening!!. His talent for dance was showcased early in his career as a member of The Lockers, a renowned dance group based in Los Angeles. Berry gained national recognition when he appeared on the groundbreaking series Saturday Night Live and made memorable appearances on the dance-centric show Soul Train, where he showcased his skills in the signature line dance segment with the famous "slo-mo" dance move.
In addition to his role in What's Happening!!, Berry reprised his character in the sequel series What's Happening Now!!, although his time on the show was short-lived due to salary disputes. His widow, Essie Berry, later revealed that disagreements over his compensation were a contributing factor to the show's untimely end.
In the 1990s, Berry experienced significant personal transformation; he became a Baptist minister and successfully shed 100 pounds after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Throughout his life, he was married five times to four women, with one marriage occurring twice. Fred Berry passed away in his Los Angeles home following a stroke, and he rests at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, leaving behind a legacy marked by his contributions to television and dance.
