LONDON, England – David Soul, an 80-year-old actor-singer who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting combo “Starsky & Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don’t Give Up on Us,” has died.
According to his wife, Helen Snell, “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,” Snell was quoted as saying in a statement. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
Soul, born David Solberg, was a Chicago native whose acting career began in the 1960s when he joined Minnesota’s avant-garde Firehouse Theater. He appeared on stage and cinema long into the twentieth century, although he is most recognized for his work in the 1970s.
David Soul, The Actor Who Portrayed The Blond Half Of TV’s ‘Starsky And Hutch,’ Dies At 80
Soul starred as detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside dark-haired Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in the ABC series “Starsky & Hutch,” which aired from 1975 to 1979 and generated a line of children’s toys.
He was also a successful vocalist, beginning in 1976 with “Don’t Give Up on Us” and continuing with successes like “Going in With My Eyes Open” and “Silver Lady.”
Soul rose to national prominence in the 1960s when it appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show” as “The Covered Man,” a vocalist masked in a stocking cap who shouted songs like “That is why I hide my face, because a man has to be free.”
His other TV credits include early cameos on “Star Trek,” “All in the Family,” and “I Dream of Jeannie,” as well as the miniseries “Salem’s Lot” and a brief adaptation of the film classic “Casablanca,” in which Soul played nightclub owner Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart.
“Magnum Force,” “The Hanoi Hilton,” and a cameo alongside Glaser in the 2004 big-screen adaptation of “Starsky & Hutch,” with Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch, were among Soul’s films.
David Soul, The Actor Who Portrayed The Blond Half Of TV’s ‘Starsky And Hutch,’ Dies At 80
Soul moved to Britain in the 1990s, when he had various stage roles. In 2001, he won a libel suit against a journalist who declared “The Dead Monkey,” a play in which Soul was performing, the worst production he had ever seen – despite never having seen it. He also appeared in the West End production of “Jerry Springer – The Opera” as the titular talk-show presenter.
David Soul is an American actor and singer known for his role as Detective Kenneth Hutchinson in the television series “Starsky & Hutch.” He gained fame for his performance in this popular 1970s show and has also appeared in various other television series and films throughout his career.
In addition to acting, he has released several music albums and singles. Soul continues to be involved in the entertainment industry and has left a lasting impact on popular culture.
David Soul, The Actor Who Portrayed The Blond Half Of TV’s ‘Starsky And Hutch,’ Dies At 80
“Starsky & Hutch” is an American television series that aired in the 1970s. The show follows two detectives, Starsky and Hutch, as they solve crimes in the fictional city of Bay City, California.
The series is known for its action-packed episodes and the dynamic partnership between the two main characters. The show was well-received by audiences and has since become a classic in the crime drama genre.
SOURCE – (AP)
