Hutch, definition of Seventies cool

ACTOR and 1970s icon David Soul, the blond, blue-eyed half of TV crime-fighting duo Starsky & Hutch, has died aged 80.

- Giles Sheldrick

The US-born heartthrob, best known for his role as Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the classic crime-solving series, died on Thursday surrounded by his family, his wife Helen Snell said yesterday.

In a statement, they said: "David Soul beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother died 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. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

Slick...David Soul. Below, with co-star Paul Michael Glaser. Above, chart-topping singer

 It is not yet known what caused his death.

Born David Richard Solberg in Chicago in 1943, Soul enjoyed minor early success as a singer and bit-part actor.

He gained global stardom when he was cast opposite Paul Michael Glaser, who played cop partner Detective Dave Starsky.

The show ran from 1975 to 1979 and became one of the most popular cop dramas of all time and turned both Soul and Glaser into small-screen megastars.

Writing on X, Star Trek actor William Shatner, 92, said "condolences to the family of David Soul" as he recalled "one of his early roles was on an episode of Star Trek" And actor Ben Stiller, who reprised the role of Starsky in the 2004 remake of Starsky & Hutch opposite Owen Wilson reposted a shared video clip from the original series, saying: "Defining 70's cool. Rest in peace x."