Fred Berry, a former dancer, rose to fame in the 1970s as one of the most prominent stars on American television. His breakout role came in the popular sitcom "What's Happening!!" in 1976, which catapulted him to stardom.
However, Berry's life took a drastic turn as he struggled with weight gain, ultimately ballooning to a size that threatened his health. His weight issues were exacerbated by his addiction to food, drink, drugs, and women, leading to a tumultuous personal life. He married six times to four different women, a statistic that speaks to his struggles.
In addition to his weight and addiction issues, Berry was diagnosed with diabetes, which led him to make significant lifestyle changes. He underwent a remarkable transformation, losing over 100 pounds and turning to religion for solace.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1951, Berry's early career saw him dance with the renowned group, The Lockers. However, it was his role in "What's Happening!!" that catapulted him to stardom. The show ran for three seasons before being cancelled, leaving Berry to navigate the challenges of finding another successful project.
After the show's conclusion, Berry faced personal struggles and the struggle to find another star vehicle. Despite this, the show's popularity endured through reruns, and a spin-off series, "What's Happening Now!", was picked up in 1985 and ran for three years.
Berry eventually retired from acting in the late 1980s to focus on his religious pursuits. However, he made a brief return to the screen in the 1998 action film "In the Hood". His final role was a cameo appearance in the 2003 film "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star".
Tragically, Fred Berry's life came to a premature end on October 21, 2003, at the age of 52.
