Soul Train Host Don Cornelius Dead At 75; Investigated As Possible Suicide
Posted on Feb 01, 2012 @ 06:30AM
Soul Train’s legendary creator and host Don Cornelius is dead -- in what could be a case of suicide.
Police tell RadarOnline.com that Cornelius, 75, was found shot in the head at his home in Sherman Oaks, California at approximately 4 a.m. PT Wednesday.
Authorities say Cornelius was taken to Cedars-Sinai hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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We’re also told that he was alone in the home at the time, and officials are investigating it as a possible case of suicide.
His family has been told of the death.
A source told the L.A. Times there were no signs of foul play.
Soul Train premiered in 1971 and stayed on the air until 2006. Cornelius stopped hosting in 1993.
In 2010, he told the newspaper he’d been in talks to put Soul Train on the silver screen.
"We've been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn't be the 'Soul Train' dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project," he said. "It's going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show."
Celebs such as Wyclef Jean and Ice Cube had taken to Twitter Wednesday to pay tribute to the music mogul.
Jean: “JUST WOKE UP TO SOME SAD NEWS , R.I.P. Don Cornelius founder of SOUL TRAIN”
Ice Cube: “Rest in Peace, Love & Soul...Don Cornelius.”
Cornelius was sentenced to three years of probation in 2009, after pleading no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery.
Stay with RadarOnline.com for more on this story as it develops.
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The Daily Juice
This is truly sad news. Watched him on Soul Train as a kid and thought he had the most incredible speaking voice. He made Soul Train the great show it was. RIP Don
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 4:34pm
OMG! I'm crying right now. Being a white kid in Chicago in the early 70's,
we watched Soul Train, Bandstand, Svengoolie on Saturday day then Creature Features
Saturday night. Mr. Cornelius helped soundtrack our lives, God did bless him. RIP.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 2:59pm
Wow...the soul train man is dead. Watched his show as a kid.. Will be looking forward to an update ROL but from reading the article it looks like he killed himself. So very, very sad.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 2:00pm
Probably dementia made him pull the trigger. Old age is not for sissies. He was lonely angry and depressed after his spousal abuse charges last year. Ticking time bomb.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:58pm
Soul Train was one of the most racist shows on TV. A bunch of jungle bunnies, jumping up and down, and commercials for African hair products. This man knew he was degrading black people but he continued year after year.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:35pm
May I drop you off at 87th&Cottage Grove or somewhere on West Madison?
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 3:02pm
drink a nice big cup of shut the f*ck up.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 1:01pm
BlogDog: This is the same psycho that posts under about 8 diffferent names. How low, pathetic, sad, and empty their life must be to spew silly crap just to have something to do! What a pitiful fool.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 1:38pm
I can't believe it. Wow. This is heartbreaking and sad. Condolences to his family.
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:28pm
sad to hear this. i remember him saying, we wish you love, peace, and soul!
Posted Wed, 02/01/2012 - 11:59am