- Born
- Died
- Birth nameFred Allen Berry
- Nicknames
- Rerun
- Penguin
- Height5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
- For a while in the 1970s, Fred Berry was one of the biggest stars on American television. The former dancer, who became a star in the sitcom What's Happening!! (1976) ballooned until his weight became a threat to his health. He battled with food, drink, drugs and women, marrying 6 times to 4 women in total. Diabetes was diagnosed, he lost more than 100 pounds and turned to religion. Born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1951, Berry danced with The Lockers, but it was the sitcom deal in 1976 that gave him his big break. The series ran for three seasons. After it was canceled, Berry struggled with personal problems and with the search for another star vehicle. The series was popular through reruns and a further series (What's Happening Now! (1985) was picked up in 1985 and ran for three years, after which Berry gave up acting for religion. He returned to the screen in 1998 in the action movie In the Hood (1998), and his final role was a cameo in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003) in 2003. Berry died on October 21, 2003, aged 52.
- IMDb mini biography by: bob the moo
- SpousesEssie Berry(October 22, 1999 - October 21, 2003) (his death)Darlene Bitten(October 1994 - 1999) (divorced)Carol Ann Ross(August 1, 1984 - 1991) (divorced)Franchesska Berry(October 15, 1978 - September 25, 1980) (divorced)Franchesska Berry(January 11, 1976 - July 1976) (divorced)
- ChildrenDeShannon Berry
- Continually wore a red beret as his character did in What's Happening!! (1976)
- The Rerun dance
- In 1990, when diagnosed by doctors with diabetes, he was told he had to lose weight or his life would be shortened. After placing himself on a strict regimen, he lost 108 pounds and 18 inches off his waist.
- Used to be a member of the Los Angeles-based dance troupe, The Lockers.
- He danced on the TV show "Soul Train".
- Has been married six times to four women. He married two women twice.
- Battled a severe drug and alcohol problem in the 1980s and has been fully sober since.
- What's Happening Now! (1985) - $500 /episode
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