Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius was born on September 27, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois, USA as Donald Cortez Cornelius.

Graduated from DuSable High School in Chicago, Illinois, in 1954.

In the mid-1960s, WVON Radio personality Ed Cobb was pulled over by Chicago Police officer Don Cornelius. When Officer Cornelius asked him typical traffic stop questions, Cobb noticed his unique speaking voice. Cobb told him that he was in the wrong profession, and suggested that Cornelius come down to the radio station and make a demo tape. Cornelius took him up on it, and was hired as an announcer.

He began and hosted Soul Train (1971) on October 2, 1971. It became the longest-running first-run syndicated show in the history of television.

Once had a brain tumor and underwent a successful 21 hour brain surgery. [November 12, 1982].

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7060 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California on February 27, 1997.

Was honored at the Chicago Cultural Center by Bruce DuMont in 1998.

He was a writer and producer, known for Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Soul Train (1971) and Jackie's Back! (1999). He was married to Viktoria Chapman and Delores Harrison.

Just before Cornelius died, he appeared on Unsung (2008) with Full Force, who had been a guest on Soul Train (1971).

Sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery [March 21, 2009].

Was inducted posthumously into the Illinois Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2012.