‘Starsky and Hutch’ Star David Soul Dead at 80

David Soul, well-known for enjoying Detective Kenneth Hutchinson on the buddy cop TV collection “Starsky and Hutch,” is lifeless … TMZ has discovered.

The actor died Thursday at a hospital in London following a battle with most cancers … in keeping with a member of the family. We’re instructed David was surrounded by his household when he handed.

David suffered from a lot of well being points in his life … most notably continual obstructive pulmonary illness. He blames COPD on a half-century of smoking three packs of cigarettes every day.

His spouse Helen Snell stated the “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.”

She added, “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”

David grew to become a pop icon within the Seventies in his starring function as Hutch, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed detective reverse Paul Michael Glaser as Detective Dave Starsky. He appeared in all 92 episodes from 1975-79, masking 4 seasons on TV, and likewise directed a couple of episodes.

After “Starsky and Hutch,” David landed roles within the 1979 TV miniseries “Salem’s Lot” and the  1980 TV film “Homeward Bound.”

David and Paul additionally reprised their roles as Starsky and Hutch with a cameo look within the 2004 film remake, “Starsky & Hutch,” with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.

Earlier than his Hutch fame, David bought began in Hollywood within the mid-Sixties with small TV roles on reveals like “Flipper,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” and “Star Trek” — and, curiously, Clint Eastwood was an early supporter of David’s expertise … as he solid him as one of many cops co-starring with him within the 1973 Soiled Harry movie, “Magnum Force.”

He was additionally a really profitable singer/songwriter … scoring a number-one hit in 1976 with “Don’t Give Up On Us.”

David moved to the UK within the 90s and started starring in West Finish stage productions and British TV reveals. He finally grew to become a British citizen in 2004.

He is survived by his spouse and 6 youngsters from earlier relationships.

David was 80.