If you were an actor in the 1970s, landing a role as a TV detective was considered one of the best gigs around. In an era dominated by shows like The Rockford Files, Adam-12, and Starsky & Hutch, the competition was less intense, the cars were cooler, and syndication money held significant value.
David Soul entered this world when he took on the role of Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the buddy cop action series Starsky & Hutch. The show paired Soul’s pragmatic Hutch with Paul Michael Glaser’s fiery Detective Michael Starsky, creating a notably emotional and caring partnership between the two characters—an unconventional dynamic that faced backlash from studio heads. Nevertheless, Starsky & Hutch became a defining moment in Soul’s career, contributing to his lasting legacy.
Soul, already a talented singer, gained early recognition through pre-Masked Singer appearances on national TV in the ’60s, singing while masked on The Merv Griffin Show. This attention led to appearances on Flipper, Star Trek, and Clint Eastwood’s Magnum Force. However, Starsky & Hutch would become his most memorable claim to fame, spanning four years and nearly 100 episodes.
Post-Starsky & Hutch, Soul’s stardom saw a decline. He briefly starred in CBS’s Casablanca TV show and engaged in various short-lived projects. Later in life, severe COPD resulting from years of heavy smoking limited his options.
Soul’s personal life was marked by significant challenges, including heavy chemical dependencies. In 1983, he faced legal troubles after a drunken altercation with his third wife, Patti Carnell Sherman, who was pregnant with his child at the time. Throughout the ’80s, Soul underwent semi-regular trips to rehab, either by court order or at the urging of those close to him.
On January 4, 2024, David Soul passed away at the age of 80 after years of poor health. In a statement from his fifth and final wife, Helen Snell, it was revealed that he was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments. She expressed that his smile, laughter, and passion for life would be remembered by the many lives he touched. The passing of this iconic figure marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that extends beyond his contributions to the world of entertainment.