David Soul tributes pour in after Starsky & Hutch star dies at 80: 'He was such a bright light and an inspiration'
David Soul has died at the age of 80, it was announced on Friday morning.
The actor starred in the 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch before topping the charts with his hit Don't Give Up On Us.
Soon after, tributes flooded social media.
His heartbroken wife Helen Snell said he had fought a 'brave fight for life'.
“David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant fight for life in the loving company of family,” she said in a statement.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend.
“His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he touched.”
Others also shared their own notes.
Star Trek actor William Shatner shared on social media: “Condolences to the family of David Soul. One of his first roles was in an episode of Star Trek Original Series.”
David Soul has died at the age of 80, it was announced on Friday morning. The actor starred in the 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch before topping the charts with his hit Don't Give Up On Us. Soon after, tributes flooded social media
Star Trek actor William Shatner shared on social media: “Condolences to the family of David Soul. One of his early roles was in an episode of Star Trek Original Series'
Soul is seen on the left wearing heavy makeup and a wig for Star Trek
Supermodel Carol Alt told DailyMail.com: 'I grew up watching the handsome David Soul starring in Starsky & Hutch. That show was a weekly staple thanks to David, who had real star power and a strong presence. I liked his character. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.'
Singer Nikki Lund – who sang You & I with Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora – wrote: 'He was such a bright light and an inspiration to so many singers. And he was the definition of masculine charm in the 1970s that still has an impact today. I'm really sad he's no longer with us.”
Jonathan Cheban, aka FoodGod of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, commented: “His loss will be felt. I mean, he's one of the most memorable TV actors of the 1970s.'
Fans also commented on the star.
'RIP David Soul – thank you for everything you've done on the small screen.'
And another said: 'Very sad to hear about David Soul. I loved his song from the 70s, I still listen to it every now and then.”
Soul became an international star and pin-up thanks to Starsky and Hutch during the show's four-year run from 1975 to 1979.
Michael Warburton shared an old image of Starsky & Hutch
“David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a brave struggle for life in the loving company of family,” his wife Helen Snell said in a statement
Colin McFarlane seemed very surprised by the star's death
John Sweeney said: 'I came to know and love David when we helped Martin Bell beat Neil Hamilton in 1997'
Sharron Davies said she had “fond memories” of the actor and singer
Soul starred Detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser's Detective Dave Starsky.
The original series ran for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 1979, following the title characters, detectives who fought crime on the streets of fictional Bay City, California in a bright red Gran Torino, with Antonio Fargas as their informant, Huggy Bear.
Soul also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and Britain in 1976 with the catchy ballad Don't Give Up On Us Baby.
Other chart hits would follow in 1977, with the singles Going In With My Eyes Open and Silver Lady, but Soul's foray as a singer would end twelve months later with the release of It Sure Brings Out The Love In Your Eyes – his fifth and final. single.
Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante in the Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and starring as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot.
His heartbroken wife Helen Snell said he had fought a 'brave fight for life'. “David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant fight for life in the loving company of family,” she said in a statement. Seen in 2004
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he touched.” Seen in 2020
Soul as Detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser's Detective Dave Starsky
Singer Nikki Lund – who sang You & I with Richie Sambora – wrote: “He was such a bright light and an inspiration to so many singers. And he was the definition of masculine charm in the 1970s that still has an impact today. “I'm really sad that he's no longer with us.”
Jonathan Cheban, aka FoodGod of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, commented: “His loss will be felt. I mean, he's one of the most memorable TV actors of the 1970s.
The actor lived in London with his PR wife Helen Snell, his fifth marriage, after they met while touring Britain with an Ira Levin stage production of the play Deathtrap in 2002.
Referring to his love for Britain in 2015, he told MailOnline: 'Britain is beautiful. I really like South Devon, the bleakness of Dartmoor.
'And I like being in a country that is steeped in history. I return to the United States about three times a year as my five sons all live there, while my daughter lives here.”
He added: “When Paul Michael Glaser and I were filming Starsky & Hutch in the 1970s, Princess Margaret came to meet us on set once because she liked the show.
“We took her out to lunch and, suffice it to say, we didn't go back to work in the afternoon. We were also told that the Queen Mother once said: 'I like those boys so much!' But I don't think I'll ever be Sir David, even if I act like one sometimes!
'The only person I would like to call Sir David is my wife, as I call her Lady Helen!'