Actor David Soul, half of 'Starsky & Hutch' duo, dies at 80

Associated Press
Updated ·1 min read
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LONDON — Actor David Soul, who earned fame as the blond half of crime-fighting duo "Starsky & Hutch" in the popular 1970s television series, has died at the age of 80.

His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that "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," she said in a statement. "His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

Actor David Soul, known for his role in TV series "Starsky & Hutch," has died at 80 years old. Soul, right, is seen here with his co-star Paul Michael Glaser in the long-running series, one of the first of the "New York Cops" series.
Actor David Soul, known for his role in TV series "Starsky & Hutch," has died at 80 years old. Soul, right, is seen here with his co-star Paul Michael Glaser in the long-running series, one of the first of the "New York Cops" series.

Soul portrayed detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in "Starsky & Hutch." It ran on ABC between 1975 and 1979, and grew so popular it spawned a host of children’s toys.

At the height of his fame, Soul also hit the music charts with the single "Don't Give Up on Us."

David Soul is photographed at an event in Los Angeles, Dec. 6, 1983. Soul, who hit fame as blond half of crime-fighting duo "Starsky and Hutch" in a popular 1970s television series, has died. He was 80. Wife Helen Snell, said Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, that Soul died the day before "after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family."
David Soul is photographed at an event in Los Angeles, Dec. 6, 1983. Soul, who hit fame as blond half of crime-fighting duo "Starsky and Hutch" in a popular 1970s television series, has died. He was 80. Wife Helen Snell, said Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, that Soul died the day before "after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family."

Soul had lived in Britain for many years, performing in several stage roles. In 2001, he won a libel case against a journalist who called "The Dead Monkey," a play that Soul was in, the worst production he had ever seen — without having seen it.

Soul also played the titular talk-show host in "Jerry Springer: The Opera" in London's West End.

Former "Starsky & Hutch" actor David Soul, center, makes a curtain call for "Jerry Springer: The Opera," at the Cambridge Theater in Covent Garden, central London, in this July 22, 2004, file photo. The BBC, Britain's publicly funded television network, has announced plans to broadcast the hit show famous for its vulgarity.
Former "Starsky & Hutch" actor David Soul, center, makes a curtain call for "Jerry Springer: The Opera," at the Cambridge Theater in Covent Garden, central London, in this July 22, 2004, file photo. The BBC, Britain's publicly funded television network, has announced plans to broadcast the hit show famous for its vulgarity.

Soul and Glaser had cameos in the 2004 big-screen remake of "Starsky & Hutch," starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: David Soul dead: 'Starsky and Hutch' actor was 80

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