Stars Who Rode the Soul Train

Celebrities who took the hippest trip to fame.

Rosie Perez  - Before breaking out as a choreographer on the landmark sketch comedy show In Living Color or making her acting debut in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, Rosie Perez began her entertainment career busting sexy hip hop moves as a Soul Train dancer in the mid-‘80s. (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

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Rosie Perez  - Before breaking out as a choreographer on the landmark sketch comedy show In Living Color or making her acting debut in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, Rosie Perez began her entertainment career busting sexy hip hop moves as a Soul Train dancer in the mid-‘80s. (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Carmen Electra  - Don Cornelius could always spot talent. A young Carmen Electra danced on Soul Train before going on to stardom as a TV and film actress … as well the ex-wife to rocker Dave Navarro and former NBA star Dennis Rodman.(Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

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Carmen Electra  - Don Cornelius could always spot talent. A young Carmen Electra danced on Soul Train before going on to stardom as a TV and film actress … as well the ex-wife to rocker Dave Navarro and former NBA star Dennis Rodman.(Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Valerie

Nick Cannon   - He’s a media power player and, now, the hubby of Mariah Carey. But Nick Cannon started his rise to fame by rocking the dance floor on Soul Train. He even graced the stage as a music artist to perform his hit single, "Gigolo," in 2003.(Photo: Joe Scarnici/WireImage)

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Nick Cannon   - He’s a media power player and, now, the hubby of Mariah Carey. But Nick Cannon started his rise to fame by rocking the dance floor on Soul Train. He even graced the stage as a music artist to perform his hit single, "Gigolo," in 2003.(Photo: Joe Scarnici/WireImage)

Jody Watley  - Many know this Chicago native as one third of the veteran R&B trio Shalamar, who sang classics like 1982’s “A Night To Remember.” Or you may remember her major solo singing career tunes, like 1988’s “Looking for a New Love.” But in the 1970s, Jody Watley was catching the spotlight as a Soul Train Dancer. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Jody Watley  - Many know this Chicago native as one third of the veteran R&B trio Shalamar, who sang classics like 1982’s “A Night To Remember.” Or you may remember her major solo singing career tunes, like 1988’s “Looking for a New Love.” But in the 1970s, Jody Watley was catching the spotlight as a Soul Train Dancer. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jeffrey Daniel - As a Soul Train dancer, Jeffrey Daniels was ready for his close-up, rocking choreographed moves with dance partner Jody Watley before the camera. Daniels parlayed his Train fame into a music career as a member of Shalamar. He also gained fame as a street dance pioneer, teaching Michael Jackson the “backslide," a move which the Gloved One later popularized as the "moonwalk."(Photo: Courtesy JefferyDaniel.com)

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Jeffrey Daniel - As a Soul Train dancer, Jeffrey Daniels was ready for his close-up, rocking choreographed moves with dance partner Jody Watley before the camera. Daniels parlayed his Train fame into a music career as a member of Shalamar. He also gained fame as a street dance pioneer, teaching Michael Jackson the “backslide," a move which the Gloved One later popularized as the "moonwalk."(Photo: Courtesy JefferyDaniel.com)

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Jermaine Stewart  - On his way to scoring a monster hit in 1986 with “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off,” Jermaine Stewart was singing backing vocals for Shalamar. It was all through a connection he made while, you guessed it, dancing on Soul Train. Stewart died in 1997 from an AIDS-related illness.(Photo: Courtesy Reprise Records)

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Jermaine Stewart  - On his way to scoring a monster hit in 1986 with “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off,” Jermaine Stewart was singing backing vocals for Shalamar. It was all through a connection he made while, you guessed it, dancing on Soul Train. Stewart died in 1997 from an AIDS-related illness.(Photo: Courtesy Reprise Records)

Fred “Rerun” Berry  - Of all the celebrities who got their start on Soul Train, Fred Berry is the most famous and iconic figure. As a member of the pioneering dance troupe, The Lockers, Berry (then known as “Penguin”) helped popularize the pre-hip hop dance known as "locking," performing with his co-horts on TV shows like Saturday Night Live. After landing a role on the classic TV show What’s Happening!!, Berry became an icon known primarily for his dancing, Rerun.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Fred “Rerun” Berry  - Of all the celebrities who got their start on Soul Train, Fred Berry is the most famous and iconic figure. As a member of the pioneering dance troupe, The Lockers, Berry (then known as “Penguin”) helped popularize the pre-hip hop dance known as "locking," performing with his co-horts on TV shows like Saturday Night Live. After landing a role on the classic TV show What’s Happening!!, Berry became an icon known primarily for his dancing, Rerun.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

Perri “Pebbles” Reid   - Before the future ex-Mrs. L.A. Reid began tearing up the R&B charts with late ‘80s hits like “Mercedes Boy” and “Girlfriend," she was getting her groove on as a Soul Train dancer.(Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Perri “Pebbles” Reid   - Before the future ex-Mrs. L.A. Reid began tearing up the R&B charts with late ‘80s hits like “Mercedes Boy” and “Girlfriend," she was getting her groove on as a Soul Train dancer.(Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

Photo By Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup

MC Hammer  - As the dancing hip hop heir to James Brown, Hammer was first busting a move as a Soul Train dancer. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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MC Hammer  - As the dancing hip hop heir to James Brown, Hammer was first busting a move as a Soul Train dancer. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Shemar Moore  - Even heartthrobs have gotten their start on Soul Train. He may be the sexy FBI agent on the hit series Criminal Minds or the sensitive blue-collar dude in Tyler Perry’s 2005 film Diary of a Mad Black Woman, but Shemar Moore started out as host of Soul Train (replacing comedian Mystro Clark). Don Cornelius ended his own hosting duties in 1993.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Shemar Moore  - Even heartthrobs have gotten their start on Soul Train. He may be the sexy FBI agent on the hit series Criminal Minds or the sensitive blue-collar dude in Tyler Perry’s 2005 film Diary of a Mad Black Woman, but Shemar Moore started out as host of Soul Train (replacing comedian Mystro Clark). Don Cornelius ended his own hosting duties in 1993.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)