David Soul Dies: ‘Starsky & Hutch’ Star Was 80

Max Goldbart
·3 min read
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David Soul, who played Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the hugely popular 1970s Starsky & Hutch TV series, starred in other TV shows and films and had hits as a singer, died Thursday. He was 80.

In a statement to press, Soul’s wife Helen Snell said he died “after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.”

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“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” said Snell. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”

David Soul dead
David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser in ‘Starsky & Hutch’ and at a 2012 fan convention

Soul played the role of Hutch opposite Paul Michael Glaser in the ABC series throughout its 1975-79 run. The buddy-cop series became a generational touchstone, fondly remembered even today for the star duo’s genial camaraderie, the light-action antics that were a hallmark of ’70s police dramas and, of course, the car: a red 1976 Ford Gran Torino with a bold white stripe that stretched from one side of the vehicle to another.

The American-Brit Soul also had major roles in Here Come the Brides, a late-1960s comedy-drama series inspired by the classic Hollywood musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and the 1973 Dirty Harry sequel film Magnum Force.

Born on August 28, 1943, in Chicago, Soul started performing as a stage actor in the mid-1960s, first landing a role on The Merv Griffin Show and then Star Trek.

From left: David Soul, Robert Brown and Bobby Sherman in ‘Here Come the Brides’
From left: David Soul, Robert Brown and Bobby Sherman in ‘Here Come the Brides’

He gained the attention of Clint Eastwood, who cast him in his movie Magnum Force, and Starsky followed soon after. The phenomenally successful TV series saw him and his detective partner take on criminals each week and attracted attention around the world. Soul featured in the movie remake 20 years ago, and a TV series reboot shepherded by The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise writer-director James Gunn is currently in the works.

Following the end of Starsky — which one watchdog group billed as the most violent show on TV at the time — Soul starred in the 1979 CBS miniseries Salem’s Lot and 1985 mini The Key to Rebecca, along with TV shows including NBC’s Casablanca and The Yellow Rose.

He also had a successful singing career, scoring a No. 1 smash on both sides of the pond with “Don’t Give Up on Us” in 1977, which was his only U.S. hit. He had four other hits in the UK, including chart-topper “Silver Lady.”

In later years, he obtained British citizenship and had roles in British detective shows such as Poirot, Dalziel and Pascoe and Lewis.

Less than two weeks ago, Soul posted a Christmas message on X/Twitter, wishing fans well and wryly reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Eastwood’s Magnum Force:

“Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year to you and yours!

Warner Bros. decided that Christmas would be the perfect time to release its version of how to keep peace in the world: MAGNUM FORCE premiered on this day 50 years ago. Peace, in the form of curbstone justice. I’m not sure much has changed since then.

I’m actually embarrassed to tell you that (but it was a job and it landed me a little role in ‘Starsky & Hutch’ so I’m not complaining)…

Meanwhile, may there be peace throughout this troubled world on this and every day. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. Love your neighbor like you give a damn.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children.

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