Michael Cole has died on the age of 84.
The actor, who was notably the final surviving star of the 1960’s police drama, The Mod Squad, handed away on Tuesday morning.
His representatives confirmed his dying in an announcement, writing that he handed away peacefully whereas ‘surrounded by his family members.’
They praised the late star — who performed Pete Cochran within the hit crime drama — for ‘dwelling a full and vibrant life.’
A reason for dying has not been shared right now.
‘Cole’s expertise, mixed along with his magnetic presence, made him a defining determine of the period,’ the discharge learn.
Michael Cole has died on the age of 84; the actor pictured on September 15, 2016 in Los Angeles
Cole, who was notably the final surviving star of the 1960’s/’70s police drama, The Mod Squad, handed away on Tuesday morning; he’s pictured in a 1970 nonetheless from the present
‘The Mod Squad not solely made him a family title but in addition broke obstacles by addressing themes of racial and social justice, with Cole’s efficiency serving to to convey authenticity and coronary heart to the collection.’
The assertion continued: ‘Beyond his profession, Michael Cole will likely be remembered for his heat and beneficiant spirit.’
‘Known amongst family and friends for his wit, attraction, and boundless compassion, he introduced pleasure to each room he entered.’
‘A storyteller at coronary heart, he had a method of creating these round him really feel particular, typically regaling them with anecdotes from his Hollywood days or sharing knowledge from his outstanding journey.’
‘While his loss is deeply felt, his contributions to the humanities and his enduring kindness guarantee his reminiscence will dwell on.’
Cole was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1940.
The actor began out his profession with a number of TV and movie roles within the mid-60s, together with Gunsmoke, Chuka, and The Bubble.
His breakthrough function in Hollywood got here along with his function as Peter ‘Pete’ Cochran, an undercover officer on The Mod Squad.
The present aired for 5 seasons from 1968 to 1973.
He starred alongside Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III. Cole was the final dwelling Mod Squad star as Peggy handed away in 2019, and Clarence in 2021.
His representatives confirmed his dying in an announcement, writing that he handed away peacefully whereas ‘surrounded by his family members’; pictured in 2005
They praised the late star for ‘dwelling a full and vibrant life.’ A reason for dying has not been shared right now; pictured in 1969
His breakthrough function in Hollywood got here along with his function as Peter ‘Pete’ Cochran, an undercover officer on The Mod Squad. He starred alongside Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III; the trio seen in a nonetheless
The crime drama aired for 5 seasons from 1968 to 1973
Cole was the final dwelling Mod Squad star as Peggy handed away in 2019, and Clarence in 2021; the trio pictured on the Screen Actors Guild of America Awards on February 23, 1997 in LA
Cole is survived by his third spouse, Shelley Funes, who he married in 1996 and his youngsters from his first two marriages; pictured in 2005
The present’s IMDb logline reads: ‘Young individuals in bother with the regulation (rich Pete stole a automotive; Linc arrested throughout Watts riots; Julie ran away from her San Francisco prostitute mom) can keep away from jail by infiltrating the counter tradition and exposing dangerous guys who prey on different youngsters.’
After his time on The Mod Squad, Cole went on to look in Murder, She Wrote, Wonder Woman, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat.
In 1990, he performed the grownup Henry Bowers within the mini collection adaptation of Stephen King’s It. He additionally performed Harlan Barrett in General Hospital.
His final credit score was the 2008 made-for-TV film, titled Grave Misconduct.
In his 2009 memoir, titled I Played the White Guy, he supplied a candid have a look at his decades-long profession in Hollywood.
Cole is survived by his third spouse, Shelley Funes, who he married in 1996 and his youngsters from his first two marriages.
