Fred Berry was an American actor who is best known for his roles in the sitcoms What’s Happening!!, What’s Happening Now!, and Martin.
Personal and Family Life
Fred Berry was born on March 19, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri. He had six marriages to four women and fathered three children: Fred Berry Jr., DeShannon Berry, and Portia ‘Lady Rerun’ Berry-Allen. His personal life faced many challenges, including issues with weight and health, which led him to fight against diabetes and turn to religion.
Career Highlights
Fred Berry gained fame as a dancer with The Lockers before landing his breakout role in the sitcom What’s Happening!! in 1976. The show was successful and ran for three seasons, leading to a sequel series, What’s Happening Now!, in 1985. After struggling with personal problems, he returned to acting in the late 1990s, appearing in projects like In the Hood and a final role in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star in 2003.
Death and Legacy
Fred Berry passed away on October 21, 2003, in Los Angeles, California, from complications related to a stroke at the age of 52. He is remembered for his iconic character Rerun and his unique dance style, as well as the red beret he wore, which became his trademark due to his role in What’s Happening!!. His contributions to American television continue to hold a place in the hearts of fans.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Fred Berry |
| 2003 | Scrubs | Fred Berry (1 episode) |
| 2002 | Can Man | Fred Berry |
| 1998 | In the Hood | Uncle Paul |
| 1985–1986 | What’s Happening Now! | Freddie ‘Rerun’ Stubbs (22 episodes) |