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)
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)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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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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