Early in his career, Berry was a member of the Los Angeles–based dance troupe The Lockers, with whom he appeared on the third episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975.

[3] Berry achieved more widespread fame playing the character Freddie "Rerun" Stubbs on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!

Rerun became one of the show's top characters, wearing a trademark red beret and suspenders while sporting the dance moves that Berry previously used during his time with The Lockers.

He was fired before the first season ended due to a salary dispute, in which Berry requested more money than the rest of the cast.

[5] During the 1990s, Berry became a motivational speaker and Baptist minister,[6] and lost 100 lbs after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

[6][8] He had three children: DeShannon, Portia and Freddy, who works as Fred Berry Jr.[9] Berry was born with the name Allen as his middle name, later legally changing his middle name to Rerun due to the widespread public association to his role as the character on What’s Happening!!