David Soul facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Soul
Soul in 2013
Born	David Richard Solberg (1943-08-28)August 28, 1943 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	January 4, 2024(2024-01-04) (aged 80) London, England
Citizenship	United States United Kingdom
Education	Augustana College (withdrawn) University of the Americas (withdrawn)
Occupation	Actor, singer
Years active	1961–2024
Known for	Detective Kenneth Richard "Hutch" Hutchinson – Starsky & Hutch
Spouse(s)	Mirriam Russeth ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1965)​ Karen Carlson ​ ​ (m. 1968; div. 1977)​ Patti Carnel Sherman ​ ​ (m. 1980; div. 1986)​ Julia Nickson ​ ​ (m. 1987; div. 1993)​ Helen Snell ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	6, including China Soul
Parent(s)	Dr Richard Solberg and June Solberg (née Nelson)

David Soul (born David Richard Solberg; August 28, 1943 – January 4, 2024) was a famous American-British actor and singer. He was best known for playing Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the TV show Starsky & Hutch from 1975 to 1979. He also played Joshua Bolt in Here Come the Brides and Officer John Davis in the movie Magnum Force.

As a singer, David Soul had big hits. His song "Don't Give Up on Us" was number one in the US, Canada, and the UK in 1976. "Silver Lady" also reached number one in the UK in 1977. He also starred in the popular TV movie Salem's Lot in 1979, based on a book by Stephen King.

Early Life and Education

David Soul was born on August 28, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. His family had roots in Norway. His mother, June Joanne (Nelson), was a teacher. His father, Dr. Richard W. Solberg, was a Lutheran minister and a history professor.

David's father also worked to help rebuild Germany after World War II. Because of his father's job, David's family moved around a lot when he was young.

The family lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where David finished Washington High School. He then went to Augustana College for two years. After that, his family moved to Mexico City. There, he studied at the University of the Americas.

In Mexico, David learned to play the guitar from other students. This inspired him to change his path and focus on his love for music. His first performance after returning from Mexico was at a club in Minneapolis.

Acting and Singing Career

David Soul started acting on stage in the mid-1960s. He was a founding member of the Firehouse Theater in Minneapolis. In 1965, he went with the theater group to New York City. He performed in plays like Baal and Serjeant Musgrave's Dance.

David first became known to many people as the "Covered Man." He appeared on The Merv Griffin Show in 1966 and 1967. He would sing while wearing a mask. He explained, "My name is David Soul, and I want to be known for my music." In the same year, he first appeared on TV in Flipper.

In 1967, he signed a contract with Columbia Pictures. He made guest appearances on shows like Star Trek in the episode "The Apple." Then, he got the role of Joshua Bolt on the TV show Here Come the Brides. This show aired from 1968 to 1970. In 1972, he co-starred in Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law. After many other TV guest roles, he was chosen by Clint Eastwood for the movie Magnum Force.

Starsky & Hutch and Music Success

David Soul became very famous for his role as Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson on Starsky & Hutch. He played this character from 1975 to 1979. David also directed three episodes of Starsky & Hutch himself.

During his career, he appeared as a guest on many other TV shows. These included I Dream of Jeannie, McMillan & Wife, Cannon, Gunsmoke, and All in the Family. He also acted in many TV movies and mini-series. He received an Emmy Award nomination for his role in the TV movie Rage (1980). David Soul also starred with James Mason in the 1979 TV mini-series Salem's Lot.

In the mid-1970s, David Soul went back to his music. He had a huge hit with "Don't Give Up on Us" in 1977. It reached number one in both the US and the UK. His song "Silver Lady" also became number one in the UK in 1977. From 1976 to 1978, he had five songs in the UK's top 20 and two albums in the top 10. He toured a lot in the US, Europe, and other parts of the world from 1976 to 1982.

Later Career and Move to the UK

In the US, David Soul continued to appear in various TV series. He starred in the mini-series The Manions of America in 1981. He also played Rick Blaine in the 1983 NBC series Casablanca. He co-starred in The Yellow Rose from 1983 to 1984. He also starred in the TV adaptation of The Key to Rebecca (1985). Later, he played the robber Michael Platt in the TV movie In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders (1988). David Soul also directed an episode of the 1980s TV series Miami Vice. In 1987, he was in the movie The Hanoi Hilton.

In the mid-1990s, David Soul moved to the United Kingdom. He started a new career on the West End stage in London. He performed in plays like Comic Potential and Blood Brothers.

In 2001 and 2002, he appeared in the TV show Holby City. In 2003, he was on the BBC's Little Britain playing himself. In 2004, he appeared in Agatha Christie's Poirot – Death on the Nile. David Soul was also a guest on the BBC's Top Gear car show. He was one of the fastest drivers on the show, even though he broke the car's gearbox!

Soul at the 2018 East Coast Comicon in Secaucus, New Jersey

On July 12, 2004, he took over the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer: The Opera in London. He returned to the West End in 2006, playing Mack in the musical Mack and Mabel. He also appeared in the TV series Dalziel & Pascoe. He had a short appearance in the 2004 movie version of Starsky & Hutch. He appeared alongside his original co-star Paul Michael Glaser.

In August 2008, David Soul was on the reality TV show Maestro on BBC Two. He appeared in the film Farewell in 2009.

In June 2012, David Soul performed with Jerry Hall in the play Love Letters in Dublin. On July 29, 2012, he was in an episode of the British detective show Lewis. In 2013, David Soul had a small role in the Scottish film Filth. He sang his own song "Silver Lady" in the movie. In 2014, he appeared in a British TV commercial for National Express, singing "Silver Lady" while driving a bus.

Personal Life

David Soul was married five times and had six children. He first married Mirriam "Mim" Solberg in 1964. They had one child.

He married actress Karen Carlson in 1968. They met while working on Here Come the Brides. They also had a child.

In 1980, David married Patti Carnel Sherman. In 1987, he married actress Julia Nickson. They had one child, China Soul, who is a singer and songwriter.

David Soul married his fifth wife, Helen Snell, in June 2010. They had been together since 2002. They met when David was performing in a play called Deathtrap in Britain.

In 2004, David Soul became a British citizen. He passed away in London on January 4, 2024, at the age of 80.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

Singles

See also

In Spanish: David Soul para niños

• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States