Actor David Soul, best known for his role in the television series Starsky & Hutch, has died at the age of 80, his wife Helen Snell said in a statement.
In a statement his wife Helen said: “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."
Soul became a huge star in the 1970s playing detective "Hutch" Hutchinson opposite Paul Michael Glaser who played his fellow cop Starsky.
The pair's adventures, complete with trademark casual knitwear and their bright red Ford Gran Torino complete with a white stripe down the side, made the show one of the biggest hits of the decade.
Its success allowed Soul to launch a singing career scoring hits with songs including Don't Give Up on Us and Silver Lady.
His career also included the TV version of Stephen King's vampire epic Salem's Lot and regular stage appearances in London after he moved to the UK including the title role in Jerry Springer - The Opera" in London's West End.
Author Stephen King has said he was sorry to hear of the death as he paid tribute to the actor.
On X, formerly Twitter, King wrote: “Sorry to hear David Soul has passed.
“He was Ben Mears in the original miniseries of SALEM’S LOT.”
Having grown up in the midwest of America, Soul lived in Maida Vale for many years, becoming a British citizen in 2004 and was a dedicated Arsenal fan.
Starsky & Hutch was remade in a 2004 film with Owen Wilson playing the role made famous by Soul and Ben Stiller as Starsky.
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, Stiller reposted a video clip taken from the original crime-solving TV series starring Soul and Paul Michael Glaser.
Alongside the video, which was initially posted by actor Michael Warburton, Stiller wrote: “Defining 70’s cool.
“Rest in peace x.”
Defining 70’s cool. Rest in peace x https://t.co/vmx8UxBQu9
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) January 5, 2024
Soul was married five times, including to actresses Mirriam Solberg, Karen Carlson, Patti Carnel Sherman and Julia Nickson, and had six children.
He met Ms Snell while performing in Deathtrap, when she was doing public relations for the play, and described her as his “soulmate”.
