Actor and singer David Soul rose to prominence with his performance in the hit 1970s detective series Starsky & Hutch. However, after a long battle with health-related issues, Soul sadly passed away at the age of 80 on January 4, 2024. The news of the actor’s tragic demise was shared with his fans by his current wife, Helen Snell.
Starsky & Hutch remains a beloved piece of media, and Soul’s role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson has earned him an iconic status. As a result, family, friends, and fans of the actor must be utterly heartbroken by the news of his passing. For those looking for details about the veteran actor’s demise and his legacy, here is everything you need to know about the passing of David Soul.
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David Soul Passes Away From Longterm Health Complications
Born on August 28, 1943, David Richard Solberg, became a celebrated actor under his stage name, David Soul. He hailed from Chicago, Illinois, and was from a Norwegian-American family. Soul is widely known for his acting and singing skills across a career spanning 4 decades. The Starsky & Hutch star’s death was confirmed by his wife, Helen Snell, who shared the following statement on the actor’s website and X, on Thursday.
“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.”
Although Snell did not share a cause of death, Soul likely passed away from health complications caused by his lengthy battle with cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Soul was 80 years old at the time of his passing. He was married five times, including to Snell, leading to the actor obtaining British citizenship. Soul was residing in London, England, at the time of his passing. He is survived by Snell and his six children from current and previous marriages.
David Soul Leaves Behind a Lasting Legacy With His Roles
Soul started acting in the mid-1960s and honed his skill through theater. He first came into the limelight with the “Covered Man” character appearing on The Merv Griffin Show. Soul gained recognition in the late ’60s with appearances on shows such as Flipper and Star Trek.
Soul’s big break came in 1968, when he was cast as Joshua Bolt in the Western comedy series Here Come the Brides. Soul was a series regular for the show’s entire two seasons and 52 episodes-long run.
Following his television success, Soul turned to the big screen, gaining recognition for the supporting role of Officer John Davis in the 1973 neo-noir film Magnum Force, starring Clint Eastwood in the lead role.
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Soul became a household name after starring in Starsky & Hutch, which lasted for four seasons and 93 episodes. Soul also reprised his iconic role from the series in the 2004 prequel film directed by Todd Phillips.
In his later years, Soul had taken a step back from acting, with his last acting credit coming in 2013. During his lifetime, Soul also released five studio albums. His most recent work, a compilation album titled Gold, was released in 2020. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Soul’s family and friends in these difficult times.
