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David Soul, best known for his smash hit role on Starsky and Hutch, has died at the age of 80.
His heartbroken wife Helen Snell confirmed that the British-American star had passed away surrounded by his family following a ‘valiant battle for life’.
The actor played Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser’s Detective Dave Starsky in the iconic 1970s series.
David became an international star thanks to Starsky and Hutch, which ran for four years between 1975 and 1979 and later inspired a movie spin-off.
After the sad news of his death, MailOnline takes a look at the actors who have played the iconic detectives.
David Soul (left), who has died at the age of 80, played Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser’s Detective Dave Starsky in the iconic 1970s series
PAUL MICHAEL GLASER AND DAVID SOUL
Paul and David were the first actors to bring iconic detectives Starsky and Hutch to life on screen, and helped it rise to cult classic status.
The original series ran for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 1979, following the titular detectives, who fought crime on the streets of the fictional Bay City, California in a bright red Gran Torino.
The show also famously starred Antonio Fargas as their informant, Huggy Bear, who helped them to crack down cases.
The series turned Paul and David into global stars and they are now both arguably best known for their work as the legendary characters.
Before nabbing the role, Paul had already racked up a whole host of acting credits, including a long run in the 1960s TV series Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.
Since his Starsky days, he had a guest-starring spot on Netflix’s Grace and Frankie in 2019 and he last appeared in an episode of Ray Donovan that same year.
He also served as an associate producer on the hit ABC reality series Shark Tank from 2010 to 2014.
The actor then transitioned to a life as a painter and a digital artist, opening his first solo show at Cosmo Lofts in Hollywood in April 2018.
Paul is now aged 80 and an abstract artist. He is also honorary chairman of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Paul and David (left) were the first actors to bring iconic detectives Starsky and Hutch to life on screen, and helped it rise to cult classic status
The series ran for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 1979, following the titular detectives, who fought crime on the streets of the fictional Bay City, California in a bright red Gran Torino
The charity is named in honour of his first wife, who died after contracting HIV through a blood transfusion while giving birth to their first child, Ariel, who also died aged seven.
Meanwhile, David went on to dabble in both acting and music after becoming an international star on Starsky and Hutch.
David acted in Star Trek, Here Come The Brides, Perry Mason and Johnny Got His Gun, throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
At the height of his fame, he released the UK chart-toppers Don’t Give Up On Us and Silver Lady, and the hits Going In With My Eyes Open and Let’s Have A Quiet Night In.
He also went on to appear in TV series Salem’s Lot, an adaption of Stephen King’s novel ‘Salem’s Lot, as Ben Mears, who returns to his hometown, which has been taken over by vampires.
David was also in Miami Vice, Harry’s Hong Kong, Homeward Bound and a TV series remake of Casablanca.
David later briefly returned to the iconic role of Hutch for a cameo in the 2004 feature film remake of the hit show.
In February last year, David shared his desire to return to the role of Hutch once again, after it was announced Fox was developing a female-led reboot.
He tweeted: ‘Every article mentions the ‘original’ actors by name. So why not just reboot Paul and me—as a couple of old farts solving piddly-ass crimes at the assisted living facility where we would now live? Who can do Starsky and Hutch better than him and me?’
After the massive success of Starsky and Hutch, Paul and David remained friends over the decades.
In 2017, Paul was seen pushing his old co-star on a wheelchair into the Comic Con in Liverpool.
David’s wife Helen confirmed on Friday that the star had died at the age of 80 surrounded by his family, following a ‘valiant battle for life’. He married five times and leaves behind five sons and a daughter.
The series turned Paul and David (pictured in 1977) into global stars and they are now both arguably best known for their work as the legendary characters
David’s wife Helen Snell (both pictured in January 2015) confirmed on Friday that the star had died at the age of 80 surrounded by his family, following a ‘valiant battle for life’
BEN STILLER AND OWEN WILSON
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson took on the iconic roles in a 2004 film remake of the television series, which introduced the legendary characters to a new generation.
The iconic actors were recruited to the multi-million pound remake, which was a comedy, as they both brought their own individual touches to the brand.
Much like the original, the movie remake was set in the 1975 fictional city of Bay City and saw the two detectives busting criminals with the help of underworld boss Huggy Bear.
In the remake, Snoop Dogg starred as their informant Huggy Bear while other talents including Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman made up the cast.
However, the movie switched up the personalities of the title characters, making Starsky the more serious detective while Hutch was more laidback.
Ben, who portrayed Starsky, is a household movie actor who featured in a whole host of smash hit films throughout the noughties.
He also famously teamed up with Owen, who portrayed Hutch, in 2001’s Zoolander, which became a huge blockbuster comedy success.
Ben has also racked up acting credits in the likes of Night At The Museum, Meet the Parents and Tropic Thunder, among many others.
Meanwhile, Owen is also a hugely successful comedy star, known for his roles in the likes of Wedding Crashers, Zoolander, The Intern and Marley and Me.
He also featured in the hit Marvel series Loki, where he starred alongside Tom Hiddleston, and his character will soon appear in 2024’s Deadpool 3.
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson took on the iconic roles in a 2004 film remake of the television series, which introduced the legendary characters to a new generation
The actors were recruited to the multi-million pound remake, which was a comedy, as they both brought their own individual touches to the brand (they are pictured with David and Paul)
NEW REBOOT
Two new faces could be taking on the roles of Starsky and Hutch after it was announced last year that Fox were developing a female-led reboot.
Though no casting details were confirmed, the reboot was described as a ‘modern reimagining’ of the original and will follow two female detectives, Sasha Starsky and Nicole Hutchinson.
While the original took place in Bay City, the reboot will be set in Desert City, where the duo, ‘solve crimes while staying true to their friendship, their awesomeness’.
On top of all that, they will also be ‘trying to unravel the mystery behind who sent their fathers to prison 15 years ago for a crime they didn’t commit’.
The report didn’t clarify whether or not Sasha and Nicole are in fact the daughters of Dave and Ken for the original, though it could certainly be a possibility.
The reboot will be written by Sam Sklaver (Prodigal Son) and Elizabeth Peterson (The Resident), who will also serve as showrunners should it move forward to series.
