David Soul, ‘Starsky and Hutch’ Star, Dies at 80
David Soul, famous for playing Detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson in the 1970s TV series Starsky and Hutch, has died at age 80. He also returned to this role in the 2004 film Starsky & Hutch.
His wife Helen Snell shared that he “died peacefully, surrounded by family,” calling him a “beloved husband, father, and friend.”
Beyond Starsky and Hutch, Soul had a diverse acting career including roles in Magnum Force, Murder, She Wrote, and Secret of the Sahara. He also briefly pursued music after being discovered at age 24 while performing in North Dakota.
Soul was married five times and had six children. He and Snell married in 2010 and stayed together until his death. While the family did not announce an official cause of death, reports suggest he had been battling lung cancer and COPD.
Fans remember him especially for his role as “Hutch,” the “calm, steady counterpart to Starsky’s fire,” leaving a lasting legacy through his performances.
