David Soul, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family. He has shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, his laugh and…
—David Soul (@DavidRSoul) January 5, 2024
“David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life surrounded by the love of his family,” Helen Snell said in a statement. “His smile, his laugh and his passion for life will be remembered by the many people he touched,” she added.
A monument between 1975 and 1979
In Starsky and Hutch, broadcast in the United States between 1975 and May 1979, for 93 total episodes, David Soul alongside Paul Michael Glaser, forming the duo aboard the famous red Ford Gran Torino with white stripe. The series followed their adventures in the fictional town of Bay City, where the two policemen were assisted by Huggy the Good Tips, their faithful informant played by Antonio Fargas.
The series has left its mark due to the always very cold attitudes of the two central protagonists, its fast pace, its machine and its varied intrigues, well anchored in a somewhat sticky America, that of the abandoned areas of American cities, of little marauders and criminals, cowards. Its violence also impressed – and was then criticized. He even managed to demonstrate a rare crudeness on television at the time, for example in an episode with the character of Hutch, when he became addicted to heroin following forced injections from traffickers.
David Soul’s version of the mustache, with Paul Michael Glaser, in 1979. — © American Pictorial / imago/Cinema Publishers Collection
In French-speaking countries, the series has gained enormous popularity, being seen primarily as a humorous crime novel. This is due to the typical closing credits of the time – the original, in the early years of Lalo Schifrin, was instrumental – and above all to the dubbing by Jacques Balutin for Starsky and Francis Lax, which makes Hutch a very complicit duet, which added to the mutual jokes. The French version strengthened the fun camaraderie (Buddy Movie-like) character of the series – some might add, cryptogaic.
In 2004, the series was made into a feature film. Owen Wilson took over the role played by David Soul 30 years earlier, and Ben Stiller took over that of Paul Michael Glaser.
Well, Paul and I just got off the phone, so that’s it. He is and will always be my best friend, my brother. However, I think for myself, and before you judge me, take a look at the story. And finally, whether it’s 1,400 innocents at a party or 10,000 fathers, mothers and… https://t.co/o1xnvk15OB
—David Soul (@DavidRSoul) November 11, 2023
David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser have remained closely linked over the decades, with the former describing the latter as his “best friend”, his “brother” in a November post on the X network.
Information about the film: The latest surprise from «Starsky & Hutch»
He also starred in “The Vampires of Salem”
Born on August 28, 1943, David Soul spent his childhood between South Dakota and Berlin, where his father Richard Solberg, professor of history and political science, was appointed advisor for religious affairs by the American diplomacy.
He also appeared in the series Pinball the dolphin, Star Trek, One hundred girls to marry et The Yellow Rose, as well as the film Magnum Force. We can also notice her presence in the adaptation of Salem by Stephen King, The Vampires of Salem, by Tobe Hooper, again with James Mason, immediately after the end of Starsky and Hutch. In 2012, in one of his last roles, he appeared in an episode ofInspector Lewis.
Check out the 70s chapter from our history of the series: The saga of the TV series: 70s, muscular beauties and the urban underworld
A life also as a musician and theater actor
At the height of his fame, he also embraced a music career, recording five albums. In the 1990s he also took to the stage in London’s West End.
David Soul was married five times and had six children. He met his last wife Helen Snell while she was doing press relations for a play in which he was starring, Death trap. They got married in 2010.
“I finally got British citizenship in 2004 because I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life here with Helen,” he said in an interview reproduced on his official website. “I tell people I’m both British and American. I can vote in both countries and I’m proud of it,” she also stated in this interview, in which she also mentioned her involvement in several local associations in London.
Original credits:
2024-01-06 10:11:35
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