Helen Snell, the actor’s wife, told everyone about it on Friday.
David Soul died on Thursday. He was best known for his role as detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on the TV show Starsky & Hutch. He was 80 years old.
Helen Snell, his wife of 13 years, told PEOPLE about the death and called Soul a “beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother.”
“He died yesterday after a brave fight for life with his family by his side,” Snell said.
She went on to say, “He gave the world many amazing gifts as an 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.”
The actor from Chicago wanted to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox at first, but he changed his mind and now wants to become a diplomat, just like his father. On his official website, he says that his “detour into entertainment was purely accidental.”
He first tried to make it as a singer in New York City, but then he moved to Los Angeles to start his acting career. Before Starsky & Hutch, he was in Star Trek, Here Comes the Brides, All in the Family, and Magnum Force. But his role as Hutch, which he started in 1975, made his career.
The show ran for four years, and Paul Michael Glaser played David Starsky, Hutch’s partner and fellow detective.
“Is and will always be my best friend, my brother,” Soul wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) in November. Glaser is 80 years old.
After their time on the popular crime-solving show, Soul directed and acted in a number of TV shows for a number of years before moving to London to pursue a career in theater. He made several appearances on the West End, including in Bill Kenwright’s Catch Me If You Can.
When the movie Starsky and Hutch came out in 2004, he and Glaser played the roles again. Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, and Snoop Dogg also played the part.
In the past year, news spread that the cop show might be brought back with two female leads. Soul replied to the news and asked why he and his first partner couldn’t be the ones to do the reboot.
“The ‘original’ actors are named in every article about a reboot.” So why don’t we just start over as Paul and I, as old farts solving silly crimes at the assisted living facility where we would now reside? “He and I are the best at playing Starsky and Hutch.” X was written on.
“If you’re going to call me a “old fart,” please leave out the word “old,”” Glaser joked.
Dave Foley, an actor and comedian, replied to Soul’s tweet with, “Sounds great.” This showed that some people liked the idea. Can I play the young 60-year-old who thinks he knows everything but hasn’t seen anything? PS: I watched every episode of the first show.”
Lynda Carter, who plays Wonder Woman, also said, “I’d watch this.”
In August, the actor turned 80 years old. To mark the event, he posted a message on X thanking his fans for their birthday wishes and the donations they made in his name.
As he talked about how “never been more touched,” not because of all the well wishes, but because of “the impressive list of charities so many of you donated to in my name,” he called it a “milestone birthday.”
“On my birthday, I sat down at the kitchen table with my family and close friends and read each one out loud. That way, we could talk about the issues they brought up and the work they do as a group.” “I am so moved by the outpouring of support they got from all of you that I can’t thank you all enough for working together,” he said.
He said this about the birthday: “You made turning 80 something really special.” So, cheers to the next 80 years! I hope you’ll stay for the ride. You’re great! Lots of love and a big kiss!”
