Don Cornelius — who famously created “Soul Train” was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA, Thursday morning.

Police discovered the body around 4 a.m.  Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“Soul Train” changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006. Cornelius was 75.

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife.  He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation.  His probation just terminated. During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize the divorce before I die.” The divorce was granted in 2010.

Sources say the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years … including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.