Fred "Rerun" Berry Dies
October 22, 2003


FRED BERRY, the comic actor best known for his role as Rerun on the '70s sitcom "What's Happening!!" has died. The red beret-wearing actor died Tuesday in his sleep of apparent natural causes at his Los Angeles home.

Berry reportedly suffered a stroke this past summer and was diagnosed with diabetes about 12 years ago. Shortly after, he took his doctor's advice to heart and lost 108 pounds and 18 inches from his waist.

Known for his jolly character on "What's Happening!!", Berry was cast at age 24 to play the teenage goofball, and became a millionaire by age 29. In recent years, he legally added "Rerun" to his name and appeared on TV shows such as "Scrubs." His most recent onscreen appearance was a cameo in the DAVID SPADE comedy, 'Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.' He was 52. (from ETonline.com)

MORE IMPORTANTLY: Don Cambell may be credited with being the creator of the "Lockin" or "Campbell Lock" dance style, but Don Campbell proved to be Obi-Wan to Fred Berry's Luke Skywalker.  Don passed his style to Fred and the two proceeded to blow-up the incubating west coast hip-hop dance scene. Soul Train banned them from their weekly dance contests the two dominated. Fred even appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1975, a year before What's Happening rode the "Re-Run Dance" into pop culture history, leaving Don all but forgotten. Don and Fred formed the "Lockers" dance team, which is widely regarded as the first street dance crew to gain professional work and recognition. Another famous member of the Lockers: Aldolfo "Shabba-doo" Quinones who starred as Ozone in the movie Breakin'. - Joe you know you stole that name!

My question is "Why is Hal posting under the name '45andalovely'" when "wickwickwack" was such a kool handle?

Doh! "I'm a motherfuckin' pimp!"

I think "DJ Brownbag Superstar" might be more fitting, mon ami! My sources tell me that you busted out a little "Twin Earth" on the unsuspecting Chop Suey crowd the other night... care to comment, soul pimp?! "I don't know 'bout no rock music!" my hairy tanned ass!

I don't have that Freshest Kids DVD, Petowski (and you know the only sleep I got on my last visit was when youse guys were all watching it!) Good thing my birthday's comin' up...