David Soul, the actor who portrayed the blond half of TV’s ‘Starsky and Hutch,’ dies at 80

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in the western comedy series Here Come the Brides, which ran for two seasons.In 1973, he landed another notable role as Officer John Davis in the Clint Eastwood film Magnum Force, the second installment of the Dirty Harry franchise. He also starred in the 1979 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Salem’s Lot, playing the lead role of Ben Mears.However, his most iconic role was undoubtedly that of Hutch in Starsky & Hutch, which aired from 1975 to 1979. He played the blond, laid-back partner of David Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser), a dark-haired, streetwise cop. The show was a huge success and made Soul and Glaser household names. The duo also became close friends off-screen and remained so until Soul’s death.Soul also had a successful career as a singer, achieving five top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart and two number one singles: “Don’t Give Up on Us” in 1976 and “Silver Lady” in 1977. He also reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with “Don’t Give Up on Us”. He released four albums between 1976 and 1979 and continued to record sporadically until 1997.In the 1980s and 1990s, Soul’s acting career slowed down as he struggled with alcoholism and personal problems. He divorced four times and had six children, including actress China Soul. He moved to London in 1994 and became a British citizen in 2004. He also found renewed success on the West End stage, starring in plays such as The Aspern Papers, Deathtrap, and Mack & Mabel. He also made cameo appearances in B

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ritish TV shows like Little Britain, Holby City, and Lewis.In his later years, Soul faced several health issues that threatened his life. He battled lung cancer, underwent hip replacement surgery that left him in a coma for 10 weeks, and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition often linked to smoking. He credited his wife Helen Snell, whom he married in 2010 after meeting her on the set of a play in 2002, for supporting him through his ordeals. He also praised the National Health Service (NHS) for saving his life with their care.Soul’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and celebrities alike. His Starsky & Hutch co-star Paul Michael Glaser said: “David was my friend for over fifty years; we shared many adventures together…He was an extraordinary human being who touched countless lives with his gifts.”James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan also paid homage to Soul, whom he called a “good friend” and recalled working with him on a film called The Fourth Protocol in 1987. He wrote: “David was a kind man with a generous heart who brought joy to many with his music and his acting…Rest In Peace dear David.”David Soul was a talented and versatile actor and singer who left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry. He will be remembered for his iconic role as Hutch, his soulful voice, and his charismatic personality. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace, David Soul.</article></body>

David Soul, the actor who portrayed the blond half of TV’s ‘Starsky and Hutch,’ dies at 80

David Soul, the actor who rose to fame as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the hit 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch, has died at the age of 80. His wife Helen Snell confirmed that he passed away on January 4, 2024, after a “valiant battle for life” following a series of health challenges.

Soul was born on August 28, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, as David Richard Solberg. He was of Norwegian descent and his father was a Lutheran minister and professor. He grew up in various places, including Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mexico City, where he learned to speak German and Spanish fluently. He also developed a passion for music and learned to play the guitar.

He attended Augustana College and the University of the Americas but dropped out to pursue a career in entertainment. He started as a folk singer and appeared on The Merv Griffin Show in 1966 under the stage name “The Covered Man”, wearing a mask to hide his identity. He later revealed himself and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures.

He made his acting debut in the 1967 film The Happening and went on to appear in various TV shows, such as Flipper, I Dream of Jeannie, Star Trek, and Gunsmoke. His breakthrough role came in 1968 when he was cast as Joshua Bolt in the western comedy series Here Come the Brides, which ran for two seasons.

In 1973, he landed another notable role as Officer John Davis in the Clint Eastwood film Magnum Force, the second installment of the Dirty Harry franchise. He also starred in the 1979 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Salem’s Lot, playing the lead role of Ben Mears.

However, his most iconic role was undoubtedly that of Hutch in Starsky & Hutch, which aired from 1975 to 1979. He played the blond, laid-back partner of David Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser), a dark-haired, streetwise cop. The show was a huge success and made Soul and Glaser household names. The duo also became close friends off-screen and remained so until Soul’s death.

Soul also had a successful career as a singer, achieving five top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart and two number one singles: “Don’t Give Up on Us” in 1976 and “Silver Lady” in 1977. He also reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with “Don’t Give Up on Us”. He released four albums between 1976 and 1979 and continued to record sporadically until 1997.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Soul’s acting career slowed down as he struggled with alcoholism and personal problems. He divorced four times and had six children, including actress China Soul. He moved to London in 1994 and became a British citizen in 2004. He also found renewed success on the West End stage, starring in plays such as The Aspern Papers, Deathtrap, and Mack & Mabel. He also made cameo appearances in British TV shows like Little Britain, Holby City, and Lewis.

In his later years, Soul faced several health issues that threatened his life. He battled lung cancer, underwent hip replacement surgery that left him in a coma for 10 weeks, and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition often linked to smoking. He credited his wife Helen Snell, whom he married in 2010 after meeting her on the set of a play in 2002, for supporting him through his ordeals. He also praised the National Health Service (NHS) for saving his life with their care.

Soul’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and celebrities alike. His Starsky & Hutch co-star Paul Michael Glaser said: “David was my friend for over fifty years; we shared many adventures together…He was an extraordinary human being who touched countless lives with his gifts.”

James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan also paid homage to Soul, whom he called a “good friend” and recalled working with him on a film called The Fourth Protocol in 1987. He wrote: “David was a kind man with a generous heart who brought joy to many with his music and his acting…Rest In Peace dear David.”

David Soul was a talented and versatile actor and singer who left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry. He will be remembered for his iconic role as Hutch, his soulful voice, and his charismatic personality. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace, David Soul.