The health of David Soul, a renowned American-British actor and singer, has generated significant interest recently. He is best known for his role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the television series Starsky & Hutch, where his performance alongside Paul Michael Glaser (who played Starsky) earned him considerable acclaim and renown.
Before making his mark in acting, Soul found success in the music industry. His hit single, ‘Don’t Give Up on Us’, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977. In addition to Starsky & Hutch, Soul’s extensive acting portfolio includes various films, TV shows, and theatrical productions.
Recently, the online world has been abuzz with news of David Soul’s illness. This surge of interest began after the unfortunate news of his passing was announced. As reported by TMZ, Soul passed away in a London hospital following a prolonged illness. One of the most notable health challenges he faced in his life was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Soul candidly attributed his COPD to a half-century-long habit of smoking three packs of cigarettes a day. In addition to this, he faced several other health issues in his life, often discussing them openly in interviews. During one such interview, Soul expressed his resilience, stating, “I am a fighter and I did my way through this thing.” He also acknowledged the indispensable support of his wife during these challenging times.
Soul’s health leading up to his death was marked by numerous challenges. His most significant health concern was COPD. In addition to this, he had cancer removed from his left lung, which only exacerbated his struggles with COPD. On top of these, Soul underwent hip replacement surgery for both hips, decompression surgery on his spine, and had a prosthetic disc implanted in his neck due to nerve damage causing arm paralysis. This latter issue prevented him from playing the guitar, a passion of his, and he also spent some time in a wheelchair.
Born on August 28, 1943, Soul was brought up in Chicago, Illinois, United States. At the time of his passing on January 4, 2024, he was 80 years old. His lineage traces back to Norway, while his mother, June Joanne, was a teacher, and his father, Dr. Richard W. Solberg, was a Lutheran minister. Besides his parents, Soul’s family included his brother, Rev. Solberg.
Soul’s personal life saw him married five times, fathering five sons and a daughter. His first marriage was to actress Miriam “Mim” Solberg in 1964, with whom he had a son. His subsequent wives were Karen Carlson, Patti Carnel Sherman, Julia Nickson, and Helen Snell.
