David Soul, the accomplished actor known for his iconic role in the beloved TV series “Starsky & Hutch,” passed away on January 4, 2024.
His career spanned across film, television, and music, which enabled him to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
However, people are curious to know about his personal life after his passing. After all, how did the acclaimed actor die? And what is his legacy?
On January 4, 2024, David Soul, known for his role in “Starsky & Hutch,” passed away at age 80. He battled various health issues, including cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2017, he spent 72 days in intensive care and had hip replacement surgery complications. Soul has six children- Christopher, John, Patrick, Jason, China Soul, and one unnamed kid from five marriages with Mirriam Russeth, Karen Carlson, Patti Carnel, Julia Nickson, and Helen Snell.
How Did David Soul Pass Away?
On January 4, 2024, David Soul, the renowned actor famous for his character in the TV series “Starsky & Hutch,” passed away at 80.
The sad news was announced by his wife, Helen Snell, who revealed that he had fought bravely against various health issues, including cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In 2009, he opened up about how his back pain had affected him for more than three decades. He said (via Mirror UK):
“It (stunts) didn’t help. I think a lot of the action stuff that I’ve done in films over the years probably hasn’t helped the situation very much.”
He further said:
“Thankfully it’s never kept me from working. I’ve worked through the pain. You have to learn to live with pain. There’s a threshold and you can live within that threshold. I’m in pain now, every day of my life I’m in pain. But somehow I can get through it.”
In 2019, David Soul also candidly discussed his health challenges.
He recounted a harrowing hospitalization experience in 2017, during which he spent 72 days in intensive care.
Following hip replacement surgery, he faced additional complications that even necessitated a tracheostomy at one point.
Soul also faced problems with COPD, a debilitating lung disease that severely impairs breathing, to his decades-long habit of smoking up to three packs of cigarettes daily for 50 years.
Although he had successfully quit smoking a decade ago, the damage inflicted on his lungs could not be reversed.
Despite enduring numerous health struggles, David Soul expressed gratitude for the life he had lived.
Who Is David Soul?
David Soul, born David Solberg on August 28, 1943, in Chicago, had a fascinating journey from his early life to fame and success.
His childhood was split between South Dakota and post-World War II Berlin, where his father, Dr. Richard Solberg, was not only a professor of history and political science but also an ordained minister.
Before achieving fame as an actor, Soul embarked on a professional career as a folk singer. He began by warming up audiences for renowned artists like Frank Zappa, the Byrds, and the Lovin’ Spoonful.
His musical interests took root during his teenage years in Mexico, where his father taught at a college for young diplomats.
Upon returning to the United States, he found success performing these songs in Minneapolis. However, when he adopted the persona of “The Covered Man,” donning a mask to hide his face, his career truly soared.
Under this masked identity, he was signed by the prestigious William Morris Agency. After this, he became a fixture on the TV talk show circuit, making multiple appearances on the highly-rated Merv Griffin show.
However, bookings dwindled when he decided to reveal his face, prompting him to transition to acting.
Soul made appearances in popular shows like Star Trek, Perry Mason, Here Come The Brides, and Johnny Got His Gun during the 1960s and 1970s.
His big break in acting came when he portrayed Officer John Davis in Clint Eastwood’s Magnum Force, a police drama centered around Inspector Harold Callahan.
This role eventually led to his iconic portrayal of Detective Ken Hutchinson in Starsky & Hutch. This popular series ran from 1975 to 1979 and followed two detectives combating crime in fictional Bay City, California.
Despite the fame he garnered from “Starsky & Hutch,” David Soul’s talents extended far beyond acting.
His wife, Helen Snell, highlighted his multifaceted abilities, describing him as “an artist with various talents.”
He was not only an actor but also a singer, storyteller, and creative artist, leaving a lasting impact on those around him.
Even after achieving widespread recognition through the TV series, Soul returned to his musical roots.
He released four albums featuring soft rock ballads in the late 1970s, two of which – “Silver Lady” and “Don’t Give Up On Us” – achieved the distinction of reaching number one on the UK charts.
In his later years, David Soul humorously acknowledged discussions of rebooting the iconic “Starsky & Hutch” series with two female leads.
He playfully suggested reprising their original roles, not as new actors but as “a couple of old folks cracking small-time cases at the retirement home.”
How Many Children Did David Soul Have?
Renowned actor David Soul, who passed away on January 4, 2024, leaves behind a legacy of not only a prolific career but also a complex personal life.
Beyond his beloved wife, Helen Snell, whom he married in 2010, Soul’s journey was marked by five previous marriages and a total of six children, along with seven grandchildren, as per Hollywoodtainment.
His marital history began in 1964 when he wed actress Miriam “Mim” Solberg (née Russeth). The brief union resulted in the birth of their son, Christopher Soul, before concluding in divorce after just a year, in 1965.
In 1968, Soul found love on the set of the TV series “Here Come the Brides” with actress Karen Carlson, whom he married. The couple welcomed a son, John Thomas Soul, but their marriage ended in 1977.
While filming “Starsky & Hutch,” Soul maintained an open relationship with actress Lynne Marta.
In 1980, Soul tied the knot with Patti Carnel Sherman, the former wife of Bobby Sherman, who had been his co-star in “Here Come the Brides.”
Unfortunately, their marriage took a dark turn when Soul faced legal consequences for attacking her during her pregnancy.
Ordered to attend therapy for alcoholism, he completed a probationary diversion program, leading to the charges being dropped.
Despite a temporary reunion, the couple divorced in 1986, having had two sons, Patrick and Jason Soul.
Soul’s fourth marriage occurred in 1987 when he wed actress Julia Nickson, and the couple welcomed a daughter named China Soul.
She would go on to become a singer/songwriter. However, their marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 1993.
China Soul holds dual citizenship in both the United States and the United Kingdom and currently resides in the UK.
Soul’s fifth and final marriage occurred in June 2010 when he exchanged vows with Helen Snell, whom he affectionately called his soulmate.
Their relationship began in 2002 when they crossed paths during his work on the British stage production of “Deathtrap.”
David Soul’s personal life, marked by both joys and challenges, mirrors the complexity of the roles he portrayed throughout his illustrious acting career.
Which role do you fondly remember David Soul for? What do you think of his complex and yet colorful life?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
