David Soul death updates — Starsky & Hutch star dies as fans remember famous detective duo with Paul Michael Glaser
STARSKY & Hutch star David Soul has died at the age of 80.
His wife, Helen Snell, revealed the news in a heartbreaking statement on Friday.
"David Soul - beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother - died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family," she said.
"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."
David Soul starred alongside Paul Michael Glaser in the famous 1970s buddy detective show.
Fans are remembering the duo on , with one sharing on , formerly Twitter: "Was there a single 1970s schoolboy who didn't want to slide across the bonnet of Starsky & Hutch's Ford Gran Torino? Era defining coolness personified by David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser."
"He and Paul Michael Glaser were my teenage idols, such a huge part of those years," another added.
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David Soul's music career
Before finding his footing in acting, David Soul was a folk singer.
He was an opening act for Frank Zappa, the Byrds, and the Lovin' Spoonful.
Soul found his love of music while living in Mexico.
His father was a professor at a local college and Soul befriended a group of students who taught him the indigenous songs of Mexico, the reported.
Stephen King pays tribute
Author Stephen King, who wrote the novel that David Soul's film, Salem's Lot was based on, paid tribute to the actor on X, formerly Twitter.
Ben Stiller pays tribute
reposted a clip of Starsky & Hutch on his X, formerly Twitter, account and wrote: "Defining 70’s cool. Rest in peace."
Stiller portrayed David Starsky in the 2004 remake of the 1970s series alongside Owen Wilson.
Wilson took on David Soul's role of Kenneth Hutchinson. Soul and Paul Michael Glaser, who played Starsky in the original series made cameos in the 2004 film.
David Soul spoke out against reboot
David Soul addressed the idea of a reboot of his hit show Starsky and Hutch on his X, formerly Twitter, account.
"Every article [about a reboot] mentions the 'original' actors by name. So why not just reboot Paul and me—as a couple of old farts solving piddly-a** crimes at the assisted living facility where we now live?" he wrote.
"Who can do Starsky and Hutch better than him and me?"
The tweet was in response to an article from detailing a potential remake in the works with Fox.
'Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother'
David Soul's official X, formerly Twitter, account posted an official update on his death.
David Soul's Christmas message, part three
David Soul shared a story of an unexpected Christmas when he first moved to New York City in a 2021 .
He said that he was living in a basement apartment at the time and had no one to share the holiday with until his super invited him to her family's holiday.
Soul shared that he then spent the day bouncing around to different block parties and celebrated the day with strangers from a multitude of cultures.
He added that throughout his life he's met people who've had nothing, but still found it in their hearts to give something back.
"It's a wonder, that's the way life should be," Soul concluded.
David Soul's Christmas message, part two
In posted in 2021, David Soul opened up about his first Christmas Eve in New York City alone.
He revealed that he took his guitar to a bar to play for the regulars.
Soul said that the bar "suddenly got a life to it," when the attendees heard the music.
"There was light in their eyes," he added.
David Soul's Christmas message
David Soul told fans on Christmas Eve in 2021 that he grew up celebrating the holiday with his family practicing German traditions.
He revealed that his father helped refugees with the Lutheran church and he remembered celebrating the holidays with people staying in their house who were escaping oppressive governments.
Soul also remembered his first Christmas in after leaving his wife in the Midwest.
"Along came Christmas Eve and I'm totally lonely," Soul recalled in he posted to his YouTube.
Soul previously revealed he had 'respiratory issues'
David Soul shared a link on Christmas to he made in 2021.
"Hopefully we can get past this Covid thing in the coming year if people woke up and had a little common sense, because it's not just about me, it's about the other person."
Soul revealed that he had been on lockdown for about 21 months due to his respiratory issues.
David Soul's last tweet
David Soul tweeted this past Christmas to wish his fans a happy holiday and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Magnum Force.
David Soul's early life
David Soul was born on August 28, 1943.
He made his acting debut in 1967 as Dennis Blake in the television series, Flipper.
Soul then portrayed Joshua Bolt in the show, Here Comes the Brides.
He rose to fame in 1975 for his starring role in the popular detective series, Starsky and Hutch,
Starsky & Hutch planned a reunion special
In 2019, David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser revealed they were planning a reunion special.
Soul and Glaser starred as the original Starsky & Hutch in the popular detective series.
They worked alongside one another for years.
Starsky & Hutch was remade in 2004
The iconic detective series, Starsky & Hutch was remade in 2004 with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.
Soul and his costar, Paul Michael Glaser appeared in the film.
David Soul dabbled in music
David Soul released music, including his hit songs:
- Don't Give Up On Us
- Silver Lady
- Let's Have a Quiet Night In
- Topanga
- Bird on a Wire
Tributes pour in for David Soul
Social media is remembering David Soul after news broke of his death.
One X, formerly Twitter, user shared a photo of David as Detective Hutch and wrote: "Remember this image on so many posters when I was a kid. A talented actor & singer & one of the coolest people alive on the 1970’s rest in peace David Soul."
Another added: "David Soul of Starsky and Hutch fame has died aged 80. I particularly enjoyed watching him in Salems Lot, it terrifies me now as much as it did then.
"I've been known to belt out his classic hits 'Don't Give Up On Us Baby and Silver Lady' on karaoke, great actor. RIP David."
David Soul's television career
David Soul is best known for his leading role in the 1970s detective series, Starsky & Hutch.
He also appeared in series such as Here Comes the Brides, The Secret of the Sahara, and The Yellow Rose.
David Soul's early life
David Soul was born in 1943 in Chicago, Illinois.
His father was a minister and his mother worked for Lutheran World Relief.
Soul also lived in South Dakota and Mexico City as a child.
David Soul's career achievements
David Soul was best known for his role as Detective Hutch in the series, Starsky & Hutch, which ran from 1975 to 1979.
He also played Officer John David in Magnum Force and appeared in the 1979 horror film, Salem's Lot.
Soul also appeared in Appointment with Death and the 1982 historical thriller, World War II>
Wife releases statement
David Soul's wife, Helen Snell said in a statement: "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."
David Soul dead
Actor David Soul has died at the age of 80, his wife confirmed.
He was best known for his role in the series, Starsky & Hutch.