David Soul is a name that many people recognize from his iconic role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the hit TV series Starsky & Hutch. But did you know that he was also a successful singer, a film actor, and a stage performer? And did you know that he had a turbulent love life that saw him tie the knot five times before settling down with his current wife, Helen Snell?
In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of David Soul, the American-British actor and singer who passed away at the age of 80 on January 4, 2024. We will explore his early years, his rise to fame, his marriages and divorces, his family, his net worth, and his legacy.
Early Years and Education
David Soul was born as David Richard Solberg on August 28, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Dr. Richard W. Solberg, was a Lutheran minister, a professor of history and political science, and a director of higher education for the Lutheran Church in America. His mother, June Joanne (Nelson), was a teacher. Both of his grandfathers were evangelists.
Due to his father’s work, Soul and his family moved frequently during his childhood. He lived in various places, including Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he graduated from Washington High School; Mexico City, where he studied for a year at the University of the Americas; and Minneapolis, where he started his musical career at a club called The 10 O’Clock.
Soul also attended Augustana College for two years, but he dropped out to pursue his passion for music. He learned to play the guitar from some students in Mexico and was inspired by folk singers like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
David Soul Wife And Children
| Wife | Name | Occupation | Marriage Year | Divorce Year | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mirriam “Mim” Solberg | Actress | 1964 | 1965 | Jon Soul |
| 2 | Karen Carlson | Actress | 1968 | 1977 | Christopher Soul |
| 3 | Patricia Anne Carnel | Model and actress | 1980 | 1986 | Tyler Soul and Brendan Soul |
| 4 | Julia Nickson | Actress | 1987 | 1993 | China Soul |
| 5 | Helen Snell | Producer and former actress | 2010 | N/A | None |
Rise to Fame as an Actor and Singer
David Soul began his acting career in the 1960s, appearing in various TV shows, such as The Fugitive, I Dream of Jeannie, Flipper, and Star Trek. He also landed a regular role as Joshua Bolt on the comedy-drama series Here Come the Brides, which ran from 1968 to 1970.
However, his breakthrough came in 1975, when he was cast as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on the action-crime series Starsky & Hutch, opposite Paul Michael Glaser as Detective David “Starsky” Starsky. The show was a huge hit, attracting millions of viewers and making Soul and Glaser household names. Soul also directed several episodes of the show, which ran until 1979.
I was 6.
He was beautiful.
RIP David Soul 💙 pic.twitter.com/JVPS21TbLt
— Binky (@TheOnlyGuru) January 5, 2024Soul also had a successful career as a singer, releasing several albums and singles in the 1970s. His most famous song was “Don’t Give Up on Us”, which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, the UK Singles Chart, and the Canadian Singles Chart in 1977. He also had another number one hit in the UK with “Silver Lady” in the same year. He also sang the theme song for Starsky & Hutch, which he co-wrote with Tom Scott.
Soul also appeared in several films, such as Magnum Force (1973), The Disappearance of Flight 412 (1974), Salem’s Lot (1979), and The Hanoi Hilton (1987). He also starred in several stage productions, such as The Aspern Papers (1984), The Dead Monkey (1988), and Deathtrap (2002).
Marriages and Divorces
Soul had a complicated love life, marrying five times and divorcing four times. David Soul’s first wife was Mirriam “Mim” Solberg, an actress, whom he married in 1964 and divorced in 1965. They had one son, Jon.
His second wife was Karen Carlson, another actress, whom he married in 1968 and divorced in 1977. They met on the set of Here Come the Brides and had one son, Christopher.
David’s third wife was Patricia Anne Carnel, a model and actress, whom he married in 1980 and divorced in 1986. They had two sons, Tyler and Brendan.
His fourth wife was Julia Nickson, yet another actress, whom he married in 1987 and divorced in 1993. They had one daughter, China, who is also a singer and songwriter.
David Soul’s fifth and current wife is Helen Snell, a producer and former actress, whom he married in 2010. They had been in a relationship since 2002, when they met while working on the British stage production of Deathtrap.
Family and Net Worth
Soul had six children from his five marriages, and he was also a grandfather of several grandchildren. He was close to his family and often shared pictures of them on his social media accounts. He also supported various charitable causes, such as animal welfare, environmental protection, and human rights.
David had an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2023, according to Wealthy Persons. He earned his wealth from his long and diverse career as an actor and singer. He also had several properties, including a house in London, where he lived with his wife Helen.
Legacy and Death
Soul was a versatile and talented performer, who entertained millions of people with his acting and singing skills. He was best known for his role as Hutch on Starsky & Hutch, which made him a pop culture icon and a sex symbol. He also had a loyal fan base, who admired his charisma, charm, and humor. He was respected by his peers and colleagues, who praised his professionalism, creativity, and generosity.
Soul died on January 4, 2024, in London, England, after a long battle with cancer. He was 80 years old. His death was announced by his wife Helen, who said that he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones. She also thanked his fans for their support and love, and asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time.
Soul’s death was mourned by many people, including his co-star Paul Michael Glaser, who said that he was heartbroken by the loss of his friend and partner. He also said that Soul was a wonderful person, who touched many lives with his talent and kindness.
Soul’s legacy lives on through his work, his music, and his family. He will always be remembered as one of the stars who brightened up the screen and the stage with his presence and his voice. He will always be David Soul, the star who married five times and found his soul mate.
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