'Soul Train' Founder Don Cornelius Is Dead

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The TV legend who gave so many African-American artists a platform to perform during the 1970s and 1980s has killed himself.

By Jeff Schwachter

Add Comment | Comments: 1 | Posted Feb. 1, 2012

According to reports, Don Cornelius, creator of the long-running TV show Soul Train, is dead.

Cornelius apparently shot himself in the head Wednesday morning, Feb. 1.

He was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center around 4am Pacific time, where he was pronounced dead, according to law enforcement sources.

A family member of Cornelius' arrived at his Mulholland Drive home in Encino, Calif., on Wednesday morning and found him with a gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities.

His death is being investigated by the LAPD and L.A. County coroner's office. Sources tell detectives they think it was "a self-inflicted gunshot wound," but stressed they are still investigating, according to a report.

Cornelius, a TV legend, was 75 years old.

"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius," said Quincy Jones. "Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train, that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones."

Soul Train began in 1970 in Chicago as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006. He stepped down as the show's host in 1993. He was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In his later years, Cornelius had a troubled marriage and was sentenced to three years probation in 2009 after pleading no contest to a domestic violence charge.

In his divorce case that year, he also mentioned having significant health issues, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Watch some classic Soul Train video below.

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