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David Soul as Roy Champion in the night-time soap opera "The Yellow Rose". Source: https://western-series.fandom.com/wiki/David_Soul (May be subject to copyright) |
Along the way, he released a hit single, and kept on working.
I heard earlier today that David Soul had died.
He was 80.
The years before
David Soul appeared in theatrical releases in the 1970s such as “Magnum Force” in 1973 opposite Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty” Harry Callahan; and “Salem’s Lot”. He also appeared in a variety of television shows, mostly in guest roles, in “I Dream of Jeannie”, the “Star Trek” episode “The Apple”; “All in the Family”; “The FBI”; The Streets of San Francisco”; “Cannon”; and much more.
David Soul appeared in theatrical releases in the 1970s such as “Magnum Force” in 1973 opposite Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty” Harry Callahan; and “Salem’s Lot”. He also appeared in a variety of television shows, mostly in guest roles, in “I Dream of Jeannie”, the “Star Trek” episode “The Apple”; “All in the Family”; “The FBI”; The Streets of San Francisco”; “Cannon”; and much more.
In 1975, he made his breakthrough and had his greatest success playing Ken Hutchinson for 92 episodes opposite Paul Michael Glaser in “Starsky and Hutch”.
Music man
While he was starring in “Starsky and Hutch”, David Soul also hit the airwaves was a single called “Don’t Give Up on Us Baby”, a soothing ballad that went all the way to number one of the Billboard Hot 100.
While he was starring in “Starsky and Hutch”, David Soul also hit the airwaves was a single called “Don’t Give Up on Us Baby”, a soothing ballad that went all the way to number one of the Billboard Hot 100.
I remember that song very well, because my Mom loved it too, and even bought the record. She played it a lot, often on Sunday mornings when she was getting dinner ready for noon time.
So, by the time the 1980s dawned, David Soul had moved on to other projects.
History and western
In the 1980s, David Soul was the lead character in two separate two series, met with varying degrees of success, but neither lasting longer than a season.
In the 1980s, David Soul was the lead character in two separate two series, met with varying degrees of success, but neither lasting longer than a season.
Play it again, Dave
Early in 1983, he appeared in “Casablanca”. He played Rick Blaine, the same character Humphrey Bogart played in the 1942 film of the same name. It involved spying and intrigue, but only lasted a total of five episodes. The first three were aired in April, and the other two were burned off in the late summer.
Early in 1983, he appeared in “Casablanca”. He played Rick Blaine, the same character Humphrey Bogart played in the 1942 film of the same name. It involved spying and intrigue, but only lasted a total of five episodes. The first three were aired in April, and the other two were burned off in the late summer.
I recall me, my Mom and sister were on a bus trip to Southern California and on the television in our hotel room, I saw a commercial for “Casablanca”. What sticks out is David Soul with his hair slicked back, wearing a white sport coat.
After I signed off, I checked out YouTube and found the opening theme for “Casablanca” and it was sung by Scatman Crothers who played Sam, of “Play it again Sam” fame.
Lone Star soap opera
David Soul was back in the Fall of 1983, starring as Roy Champion in the night-time soap opera “The Yellow Rose”. It was a show that was set up for success with an outstanding cast that included Sam Elliott; Cybill Shepherd; Susan Anspach; Edward Albert; and Noah Beery, Jr.; and recurring guest stars such as Chuck Connors; Deborah Shelton; Kerrie Keane; and Jane Russell.
David Soul was back in the Fall of 1983, starring as Roy Champion in the night-time soap opera “The Yellow Rose”. It was a show that was set up for success with an outstanding cast that included Sam Elliott; Cybill Shepherd; Susan Anspach; Edward Albert; and Noah Beery, Jr.; and recurring guest stars such as Chuck Connors; Deborah Shelton; Kerrie Keane; and Jane Russell.
It appeared on peasant vision Channel 13, but I really didn’t watch it a whole bunch.
I do recall seeing one commercial playing over repeatedly where David Soul is confronting Sam Elliott and says, “When you come on the Rose, you’re under our law.”
It was a show with a lot of potential that just didn’t pan out, lasting one season and 22 episodes.
David Soul also did appear in some motion pictures in the 1980s, including a starring role in “The Key to Rebecca”, adapted from Ken Follett’s book, in 1985; and “The Hanoi Hilton”.
The years after
David Soul kept on acting up until 2012, appearing in guest spots in shows such as “The Young Riders"; “Murder, She Wrote”; and Poirot. He even appeared as the original Ken Hutchinson in the 2004 movie “Starsky and Hutch” starring Owen Wilson as Hutch and Ben Stiller as Starsky.
David Soul kept on acting up until 2012, appearing in guest spots in shows such as “The Young Riders"; “Murder, She Wrote”; and Poirot. He even appeared as the original Ken Hutchinson in the 2004 movie “Starsky and Hutch” starring Owen Wilson as Hutch and Ben Stiller as Starsky.
Parting thoughts
“Starsky and Hutch” is some of the earliest television I recall, and it ended before the ‘80s even began but it is a part of television history. After all, it even had a theatrical movie re-boot of it made.
“Starsky and Hutch” is some of the earliest television I recall, and it ended before the ‘80s even began but it is a part of television history. After all, it even had a theatrical movie re-boot of it made.
When that wound up, David Soul kept on working, including two shows that were supposed to be vehicles for his acting. Neither panned out, but he kept on working.
He also was one of the first TV actors I observed to not only have a successful recording career, but a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
So, when I think of David Soul, as I did when I heard he died, I think of “Starsky and Hutch” and “Don’t Give Up on Us Baby”. In fact, that song was in my head all day.
I think that is a pretty good legacy.
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