Don Cornelius, the creator of the “Soul Train” television show, which he also hosted for more than 20 years, was found dead in Los Angeles of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, media reports said. He was 75.
The body of Cornelius was discovered in his house in Mulholland Drive, police officials told the Los Angeles Times. Cornelius was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center immediately after he was discovered and subsequently pronounced dead.
Police sources told the newspaper that he shot himself but an investigation is ongoing.
Cornelius was the host of “Soul Train” from 1971 to 1993 and is credited with introducing soul and R&B music, as well as artists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson to a wider audience via his show. After his departure, the show ran until 2006.
In 2009, he is quoted as saying that he suffered from “significant health issues,” reported celebrity news website TMZ.
