His wife of 13 years, Helen Snell, shared the news in a statement with PEOPLE as she described Soul as a “beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother.”
The actor “died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family,” Snell said.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” her statement continued.
Shutterstock
The Chicago-born actor originally aspired to play baseball with the Chicago White Sox, and then changed course to study to be a diplomat, following in his father’s footsteps, and said his “detour into entertainment was purely accidental,” according to his officialwebsite.
He started out pursuing a singing career in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to begin his acting career. Prior toStarsky & Hutch, he made appearances in shows likeStar Trek,Here Comes the Brides,All in the FamilyandMagnum Force, but his performance as Hutch starting in 1975 solidified his career.
Courtesy Everett Collection
The series aired for four years and sawPaul Michael Glaseras Hutch’s partner and fellow detective David Starsky.
In November, Soul said Glaser, 80, “is and will always be my best friend, my brother,” in aposton X (formerly known as Twitter).
Magnum Force: Clint Eastwood, David Soul.FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty
In 2004, he and Glaser reprised their roles as Starsky and Hutch in 2004 in the film adaptation withOwen Wilson,Ben Stiller,Vince Vaughn,Jason BatemanandSnoop Dogg.
Ben Stiller, David Soul, Paul Michael Glaser, Owen Wilson - Starsky and Hutch - 2004.Elliott Marks/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Elliott Marks/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Last year, news broke of a potential reboot of the cop series starring two female characters as the leads. Soulrespondedto the reports, questioning why he and his original partner couldn’t be the ones to do the reboot.
Starsky & Hutch - DAVID SOUL, PAUL MICHAEL GLASER.FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty
Glaserrepliedjokingly, “If you’re going to describe me as an ‘old fart,’ Please leave ‘old’ out of it.”
The idea gained some support, though, as comedian and actorDave Foleyreplied to Soul’s tweet, “Sounds great. Can I play the upstart 60 yr old who thinks he knows it all but he hasn’t seen s—. PS watched every episode of the original.”
Wonder WomanactressLynda Carteralso chimed in: “I’d watch this.”
David Soul.Shutterstock
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The actor had celebrated his 80th birthday in August, and commemorated the occasion with astatementon X thanking his fans for their well wishes — and for their charitable donations in his name.
He called it a “milestone birthday” as he admitted that he had “never been more touched, and not because of the overflowing good wishes,” but because of “the impressive list of charities so many of you donated to in my name.”
Of the birthday, he said, “You made turning 80 something extraordinarily special. So here’s to my next 80 years. I hope you’ll stay along for the (bumpy) ride. You’re the best! Big kiss and much love!”
source: people.com
