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David Soul (born 28 August 1943) is an American-born British actor and singer and best known for his role as the California police Det. Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson (opposite co-star and long-time friend Paul Michael Glaser) in the television program Starsky and Hutch (1975-79). He became a British citizen in 2004.
Early lifeSoul was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States as David Richard Solberg. His mother was a singer and his father, Dr. Richard Solberg, a Lutheran minister and educator, was a senior representative for Lutheran World Relief during the reconstruction of Germany after World War II, and the family moved frequently while Soul was growing up. Soul's brother is a Lutheran minister and social activist.
CareerSoul first gained attention as the mysterious "Covered Man" on several appearances on The Merv Griffin Show in 1967, in which he sang while wearing a ski mask and explained: "My name is David Soul, and I want to be known for my music."
Soul then appeared as level-headed Joshua Bolt on the television program Here Come the Brides, and later, Arthur Hill's law partner on Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law. Superstar status came when he portrayed Det. Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson on Starsky and Hutch. He has also made guest appearances on shows such as I Dream of Jeannie, McMillan and Wife, Cannon, Gunsmoke, All in the Family, World War III (miniseries), Star Trek, and The Streets of San Francisco
. His best known film appearance was opposite Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force (1973). Soul also appeared in the lead role in the TV movie ''Salem's Lot'', based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King (1979). His film debut was in The Secret Sharer. Soul also played in the 1971 film "Johnny Got His Gun".
After a successful singing career, including hits such as "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady", Soul fell into relative obscurity during the 1980s, during which time he fought a long battle with alcoholism, although he frequently made guest appearances in various US television series, with the occasional small film role. In 1988 he starred as the infamous Florida robber Michael Platt in the TV film "In the Line of Duty: The FBI murders", which depicted the 1986 FBI Miami shootout.
In the 1990s, Soul moved to London, forging a new career on the West End stage. He also notably participated in the successful 1997 election campaign of Martin Bell for Tatton, as well as Bell's unsuccessful campaign in Brentwood in Essex in the 2001 general election. In September 2004, he became a British citizen. He has also kept his US citizenship and ties with the US. He is a big fan of English football (soccer) and is an Arsenal supporter. On a visit to the North East of England In 2008 Soul planted a tree in honour of his maternal-grandfather, a coal miner in Hetton-le-Hole colliery.
He played himself in the first series of Little Britain. In 2004, Soul appeared in ''Agatha Christie's Poirot - Death on the Nile'' in the role of Andrew Pennington (he had also starred in the 1989 film adaptation of Christie's Appointment with Death). He had a brief cameo in the 2004 film version of Starsky & Hutch. On 12 July 2004, he took over playing the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer - The Opera at the Cambridge Theatre in London, which was televised by the BBC in 2005. He returned to the West End in 2006, playing Mack in a new production of Jerry Herman's musical Mack and Mabel at the Criterion Theatre alongside Janie Dee, directed by John Doyle.
In August 2008, Soul appeared in the reality TV talent show-themed television series Maestro on BBC Two.
He appeared as a guest on the 11 July 2008 edition of the BBC One's The One Show. He also appeared in the TV series Dalziel & Pascoe (Game of Soldiers) in 2004 and was a guest of BBC's Top Gear. Soul proved to be one of the fastest drivers they ever had, but managed to wreck the car very close to the finish.
Quotes"People thought me a bit strange at first; a blond haired, blue-eyed Norwegian who sang Mexican folk songs, but I used it to my advantage and got a job. And so the music became my ticket to education." - interview with "H" magazine issue 17, October 2002, published on the Costa del Sol. Singles- "Don't Give Up On Us" (1976) UK #1, US #1
- "Going In With My Eyes Open" (1977) UK #2, US #54
- "Silver Lady" (1977) UK #1, US #52
- "Let's Have A Quiet Night In" (1977) UK #8
- "It Sure Brings Out The Love In Your Eyes" (1978) UK #12
Albums- 1976 David Soul - UK #2
- 1977 Playing To An Audience Of One - UK #8
- 1979 Band Of Friends
- 1982 Best Days Of Our Lives
- 1997 Leave A Light On
Bibliography- Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 by Joel Whitburn - 2003
- The Life, The Legend by David Tailford - 1987
Copyright Citations
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