Actor David Soul, famous for his role as detective “Kenneth Hutchinson” in the 1970s buddy cop television series “Starsky and Hutch,” has died at the age of 80. The news was confirmed by his wife Helen Snell.
According to entertainment portal TMZ, the actor died on Thursday in a London hospital after a battle with cancer, a family member said. David Soul was surrounded by his family when he died.
His wife Helen Snell said: “Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother died yesterday in the loving company of family after a courageous fight for life. “He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend.” He added: “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by many whose lives he touched has.”
David Richard Solberg, his real name, was born on August 28, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. In 2004 he became a British citizen.
According to TMZ, the actor suffered from a number of health problems throughout his life, most notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by cigarette addiction.
David became a pop icon in the 1970s with his starring role as Hutch, the blonde, blue-eyed detective, alongside Paul Michael Glaser as Detective “Dave Starsky”. He worked on all 92 episodes from 1975 to 1979, covering four seasons on television. He also directed some episodes.
After Starsky and Hutch, Soul landed roles in the 1979 television miniseries Salem's Lot and the 1980 television film Homeward Bound.
Before his Hutch fame, David got his start in Hollywood in the mid-1960s with small television roles on shows like “Flipper,” “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Star Trek.”
He was also a hugely successful singer and songwriter, scoring a number one hit with “Don't Give Up On Us” in 1976.
David moved to the UK in the 90s and began appearing in West End theater productions and British television shows. In 2004 he became a British citizen.