Hollywood misplaced a 60’s family identify.
Michael Cole, greatest recognized for his iconic position within the groundbreaking TV sequence The Mod Squad, handed away on December 10 on the age of 84.
Cole’s consultant confirmed his loss of life to People on December 11, sharing that the actor “was surrounded by his family members after residing a full and vibrant life.”
“Cole’s expertise, mixed together with his magnetic presence, made him a defining determine of the period,” the assertion learn.
“The Mod Squad not solely made him a family identify but in addition broke limitations by addressing themes of racial and social justice, with Cole’s efficiency serving to to deliver authenticity and coronary heart to the sequence.”
The rep went on to recollect Cole’s “heat and beneficiant spirit,” including, “A storyteller at coronary heart, he had a approach of creating these round him really feel particular, usually regaling them with anecdotes from his Hollywood.”
“While his loss is deeply felt, his contributions to the humanities and his enduring kindness guarantee his reminiscence will stay on,” the assertion concluded.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 3, 1940, Cole made his mark in Hollywood with roles in movies and tv reveals comparable to Gunsmoke, The Bubble, and Chuka.
His massive break got here when he starred as Pete Cochran in The Mod Squad from 1968 to 1973, alongside Clarence Williams III and Peggy Lipton.
The present’s tagline, “One White, One Black, One Blonde,” mirrored its various and socially aware narrative.
Cole additionally humorously referenced the tagline in his 2009 memoir titled I Played the White Guy.
He remained the final surviving member of the long-lasting trio following Lipton’s passing in 2004 on the age of 72 and Williams’ loss of life in 2021 at 81, each as a result of colon most cancers.
Following The Mod Squad, Cole loved a gentle profession in tv, guest-starring on standard reveals comparable to Wonder Woman, The Love Boat, General Hospital, and ER.
Michael Cole is survived by his spouse of 28 years, Shelley, and his youngsters.
