Renowned actor and singer David Soul, a heartthrob of the 1970s known for his role as one-half of the crime-solving duo “Starsky & Hutch” and the chart-topping ballad “Don’t Give Up on Us,” has passed away at 80, according to his wife, Helen Snell.
Snell shared on Friday that Soul, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, succumbed after a courageous battle, surrounded by his family. Remembered for his exceptional talents as an actor, singer, storyteller, and creative artist, Soul’s infectious smile, laughter, and zest for life will leave a lasting impact on those he touched.
Born David Solberg in Chicago, Soul began his acting career in the 1960s with the avant-garde Firehouse Theater in Minnesota. While he continued to grace the stage and screen throughout the 20th century, his prominence peaked in the 1970s.
In the iconic “Starsky & Hutch,” Soul played detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson opposite Paul Michael Glaser’s detective David Starsky. The show, airing from 1975 to 1979 on ABC, gained immense popularity and even inspired a line of children’s toys.
Beyond acting, Soul found success as a singer, notably with hits like “Don’t Give Up on Us,” starting in 1976, along with tracks such as “Going in With My Eyes Open” and “Silver Lady.”
Soul initially gained national attention in the 1960s on “The Merv Griffin Show” as “The Covered Man,” a singer who wore a stocking cap while belting out memorable lyrics. His diverse television credits include early roles on “Star Trek,” “All in the Family,” and “I Dream of Jeannie,” as well as the miniseries “Salem’s Lot” and a brief stint in the film classic “Casablanca.”
In addition to his television work, Soul appeared in films like “Magnum Force” and “The Hanoi Hilton.” He also made a cameo alongside Glaser in the 2004 big-screen adaptation of “Starsky & Hutch.”
By the 1990s, Soul had relocated to Britain, where he engaged in various stage roles. Notably, he won a libel case in 2001 against a journalist who criticized a play, “The Dead Monkey,” without seeing it. Soul also portrayed the titular talk-show host in “Jerry Springer – The Opera” in London’s West End.
David Soul’s legacy as a multifaceted and talented artist is celebrated, and he will be remembered for his contributions to the entertainment world.
