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Starsky & Hutch
Actors Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul in "Starsky and Hutch," in 1976. Photo by FilmPublicity Archive/ United Archives via Getty Images
Film & TV

Actor David Soul, half of 'Starsky and Hutch' duo, dies at 80

By Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Actor David Soul, who earned fame as the blond half of crime-fighting duo "Starsky & Hutch" in the popular 1970s television series, has died at the age of 80.

His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that "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," she said in a statement. "His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

Soul portrayed detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in "Starsky & Hutch." It ran on ABC between 1975 and 1979, and grew so popular it spawned a host of children's toys.

U.S. actors David Soul (L), Paul Michael Glaser (C) and Antonio Fargus (R), stars of the original St..
Actors David Soul (L), Paul Michael Glaser (C) and Antonio Fargus (R), stars of the original "Starsky and Hutch" television show, arrive for the British premiere of a film adaptation in London on March 11, 2004.

At the height of his fame, Soul also hit the music charts with the single "Don't Give Up on Us."

Soul had lived in Britain for many years, performing in several stage roles. In 2001, he won a libel case against a journalist who called "The Dead Monkey," a play that Soul was in, the worst production he had ever seen – without having seen it.

Soul also played the titular talk-show host in "Jerry Springer – The Opera" in London's West End.

Soul and Glaser had cameos in the 2004 big-screen remake of "Starsky & Hutch," starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.

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