Black Stars Who Suffered From Kidney Failure

The ailment disproportionately affects Blacks in America.

Health Alert - Comedian and America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon is now on the mend after the star was treated for mild kidney failure last week. Blacks are at higher risk for kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation, and research has shown that younger Blacks have an increased risk for death while receiving treatment for the disease than whites. Here is a look at Black entertainers who succumbed to kidney complications.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Joe Scarnici/WireImage)

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Health Alert - Comedian and America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon is now on the mend after the star was treated for mild kidney failure last week. Blacks are at higher risk for kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation, and research has shown that younger Blacks have an increased risk for death while receiving treatment for the disease than whites. Here is a look at Black entertainers who succumbed to kidney complications.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Joe Scarnici/WireImage)

Shirley Hemphill  - The actress, most known for her role on the ‘70s sitcom What’s Happening!, died from kidney failure on Dec. 10, 1999. She was 52 years old.(Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection)

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Shirley Hemphill  - The actress, most known for her role on the ‘70s sitcom What’s Happening!, died from kidney failure on Dec. 10, 1999. She was 52 years old.(Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection)

Louil Silas Jr.  - Record producer and founder of Silas Records, Louil Silas Jr. suffered from kidney disease and passed away on Jan. 7, 2001, at age 45. He was known for cultivating artists such as Chante Moore and was the executive producer of “Poison,” the debut album by ‘90s R&B sensation Bell Biv DeVoe.(Photo: MCA Records)

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Louil Silas Jr.  - Record producer and founder of Silas Records, Louil Silas Jr. suffered from kidney disease and passed away on Jan. 7, 2001, at age 45. He was known for cultivating artists such as Chante Moore and was the executive producer of “Poison,” the debut album by ‘90s R&B sensation Bell Biv DeVoe.(Photo: MCA Records)

Ronald Townson  - One-fifth of the Grammy Award-winning R&B group The Fifth Dimension, Ronald Townson died on August 2, 2001, due to diabetes-related kidney failure. He was 68.(Photo: Getty Images) 

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Ronald Townson  - One-fifth of the Grammy Award-winning R&B group The Fifth Dimension, Ronald Townson died on August 2, 2001, due to diabetes-related kidney failure. He was 68.(Photo: Getty Images) 

Tony Thompson  - Tony Thompson, drummer of the popular ‘70s disco outfit Chic, died from kidney cancer on Nov. 12, 2003, at age 48.(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Tony Thompson  - Tony Thompson, drummer of the popular ‘70s disco outfit Chic, died from kidney cancer on Nov. 12, 2003, at age 48.(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Ivan Dixon  - Television director and Emmy Award-nominated actor Ivan Dixon died at age 76 from complications resulting from kidney failure on Mar. 16, 2008. He was best known for his role on the 1960s World War II-set television series Hogan’s Heroes.(Photo: CBS/Landov)

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Ivan Dixon  - Television director and Emmy Award-nominated actor Ivan Dixon died at age 76 from complications resulting from kidney failure on Mar. 16, 2008. He was best known for his role on the 1960s World War II-set television series Hogan’s Heroes.(Photo: CBS/Landov)

MC Breed - MC Breed is actually from nearby Flint, Michigan, not Detroit, but he’s too much of a pioneer to leave off this list due to a geographical technicality. The first Midwestern MC to see commercial success, Breed made a serious mark nationwide in the mid-'90s with his classic singles "Ain't No Future in Yo Frontin” and "Gotta Get Mine,” featuring 2Pac.(Photo: www.myspace.com/mcbreed)

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MC Breed  -  MC Breed, who rose to national fame with his single “Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin’,” and who collaborated with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre on George Clinton’s “Paint the White House Black,” died from kidney failure on November 22, 2008. He was 37.(Photo: Getty Images)

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson  - Nicknamed the "Maharajah of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Emmanuel Peterson succumbed to kidney failure on December 23, 2007, at age 82. He had released over 200 recordings and was the recipient of seven Grammy Awards.(Photo: UPI Photo/Ezio Petersen/Landov)

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Oscar Emmanuel Peterson  - Nicknamed the "Maharajah of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Emmanuel Peterson succumbed to kidney failure on December 23, 2007, at age 82. He had released over 200 recordings and was the recipient of seven Grammy Awards.(Photo: UPI Photo/Ezio Petersen/Landov)

Billy Preston - Session musician Billy Preston made music with some of the greatest names in the game, including Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Beatles. On Jun. 6, 2006, at 59 years old, he passed away from complications from kidney failure.(Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

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Billy Preston - Session musician Billy Preston made music with some of the greatest names in the game, including Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Beatles. On Jun. 6, 2006, at 59 years old, he passed away from complications from kidney failure.(Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)