‘Starsky And Hutch’ Actor David Soul Dead at 80
Actor David Soul, best known for his starring role as Kenneth Hutch on TV’s 1970s hit show Starsky and Hutch, died at the age of 80. According to what family told gossip site TMZ, the actor died Thursday (1/4). He died at a hospital in London following a battle with cancer. A family member said that David was surrounded by his family when he passed.
His wife, Helen Snell, said in a statement, “David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family. He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter, and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
Soul’s TV character joined detective Dave Starsky, played by Paul Michael Glaser. He appeared in all 92 episodes from 1975-79, covering four seasons on TV, and also directed a few episodes. He also made a cameo in the 2004 movie remake, Starsky & Hutch, with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.
Before Starsky & Hutch
Before his fame on Starky and Hutch, Soul played many minor TV roles in Hollywood in the 1960s in such TV classics as Flipper, I Dream of Jeannie, and Star Trek. Clint Eastwood also cast him as one of the cops co-starring with him in the 1973 Dirty Harry film Magnum Force.
The actor also dabbled in music as he scored a number-one pop hit in 1976 called “Don’t Give Up On Us” from his self-titled debut album. He released four more albums over the years, but none that had the success of his first song.
In the mid-1990s, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he played several roles on BBC TV and in movies.
On Christmas Day, the actor sent out a message to his fans on X (formerly known as Twitter). He wrote in part, “May there be peace throughout this troubled world on this and every day. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. Love your neighbor like you give a damn.”
See that post here.
On his official website, which shows his TV and movie roles as well as his music adventures, the actor is quoted saying, “Life!… Embrace it…and one another.”
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