David Soul, best known for co-starring as Starsky & Hutch’s blond half in the 1970s hit Starsky & Hutch television show, has died at 80. Born David Solberg from Chicago and having an acting career spanning four decades and counting.
He was also an accomplished singer, with hits like Silver Lady and Don’t Give Up on Us to his credit. Additionally, he enjoyed acting roles such as Here Come the Brides and Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law on television series.
David Soul
David Soul was born David Solberg and spent much of his childhood between Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Berlin where his Lutheran minister father served as religious affairs adviser to the US government in postwar Germany. Later he settled in Minneapolis where he began performing folk songs.
At first he gained fame through The Merv Griffin Show as a masked singer; from there, he enjoyed small roles in Flipper and Magnum Force before landing the titular role on Starsky & Hutch – the iconic 1975 to 1979 cop series that inspired numerous children’s toys.
After the show concluded, Soul returned to his roots by producing a big-screen remake starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as Starsky and Hutch in 2004. Additionally, he championed various social causes, such as animal welfare and world hunger.
Actor
Before taking on his role as Starsky & Hutch lead actor, David Soul had appeared as a guest star on several shows including Flipper, I Dream of Jeannie and Star Trek. Additionally, Soul enjoyed a brief musical career which culminated with him recording “Don’t Give Up on Us”, an immensely successful single from 1976.
After Hutch was cancelled in 1979, David Soul continued acting and even directed several TV movies. Additionally, he returned to his musical roots, producing four albums of soft rock ballads – with two UK number one hits such as “Silver Lady”.
Chicago native Soul has lived in London for decades. Married five times and fathering five children from each union, his family announced on Thursday his passing; cause not specified. Longstanding animal rights activist.
Singer
David Soul made his television debut as Flipper in 1961 on Star Trek and appeared in both its spinoff I Dream of Jeannie as well as Here Come the Brides during this time frame. Additionally, he released four albums of soft rock ballads which reached number one on UK charts.
After graduating from Sioux Falls High School in South Dakota, Soul briefly attended Augustana College before travelling with his family to Mexico City for one year as his father took up a teaching position at an university for young diplomats. Subsequently relocating back to Minnesota he set out on his acting and singing career.
His most acclaimed role was as Starsky of Starsky & Hutch alongside Paul Michael Glaser on ABC from 1975-1979; they reprised these roles again for a film version released in 2004.
Director
David Soul first achieved fame as Detective Ken Hutchinson on Starsky & Hutch, the 1975-1979 buddy cop series featuring Paul Michael Glaser’s Sergeant David Starsky, which became an immense ratings hit and inspired a line of children’s toys. Following its conclusion, he continued acting and directing roles on All in the Family, Ironside and in Dalton Trumbo’s antiwar movie Johnny Got His Gun.
He made his television debut in 1979 with Salem’s Lot, followed by an appearance on a short-lived version of Casablanca on CBS television in 1980. By 1990 he had moved to Britain and made a living performing on London’s West End stage. Soul would go on to marry five times and father six children before eventually marrying Helen Snell whom he wed after over eight years together as his final spouse in 2010.
Producer
David Soul was one of television’s most iconic 1970s series producers and actors as well as singer/songwriter/director/animal rights activist in his lifetime. At 80, he passed away.
Soul first rose to fame through his portrayal of Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on Starsky & Hutch alongside Paul Michael Glaser from 1975 to 1979. They later made cameo appearances together in 2004’s movie remake starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as cameo cameos. Additionally, Soul had notable roles on Here Come the Brides from 1968-1970 and 1973 film Magnum Force.
Soul later became an advocate for animal rights and moved to London. There he met Helen Snell – his fifth wife at that point – while working on Deathtrap stage productions in Britain. They eventually married.
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