Actor Michael Cole, greatest recognized for his position as Pete Cochran within the Nineteen Sixties crime drama “The Mod Squad,” has died. He was 84.
Cole “handed away peacefully” on Tuesday morning, Cole’s consultant Rachel Harris confirmed to USA TODAY. The actor was “surrounded by family members after dwelling a full and vibrant life.” A reason for demise was not disclosed.
“Beyond his profession, Michael Cole can be remembered for his heat and beneficiant spirit,” an announcement offered by Harris learn. “Known amongst family and friends for his wit, allure, and boundless compassion, he introduced pleasure to each room he entered.
“A storyteller at coronary heart, he had a means of creating these round him really feel particular, typically regaling them with anecdotes from his Hollywood days or sharing knowledge from his exceptional journey.”
Cole broke out as an actor within the late ’60s because of his position on the ABC motion collection, which adopted the adventures of three younger undercover cops. Cole’s co-stars Clarence Williams III and Peggy Lipton served as his squad mates Linc Hayes and Julie Barnes, respectively.
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Cole was the final surviving member of “The Mod Squad” trio. Lipton died in May 2019 at age 72, whereas Williams died in June 2021 at age 81.
The groundbreaking collection, which ran from 1968 to 1973, turned recognized for tackling modern social points reminiscent of racial and social justice. Cole’s portrayal of Cochran, a troubled youth who discovered redemption by way of his work on the squad, endeared the actor to followers.
The present earned a consecutive trio of Golden Globe nominations, from 1970 to 1972, for greatest TV drama throughout its five-year run. In 1979, Cole reunited with Williams and Lipton to reprise their roles within the TV film “The Return of Mod Squad.”
Michael Cole appeared on ‘CHIPs’ and ‘The Love Boat,’ performed Harlan Barrett on ‘General Hospital’
Following his “Mod Squad” stint, Cole continued to look in plenty of hit TV collection through the years, together with “Wonder Woman,” “The Love Boat,” “CHIPs,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “seventh Heaven.”
In the early ’90s, Cole scored a recurring position on the medical drama “General Hospital,” taking part in Harlan Barrett for greater than 60 episodes.
Cole printed a memoir on his life and profession, “I Played the White Guy,” in 2018. His ultimate position was within the 2010 brief movie “Father’s Day.”
“While his loss is deeply felt, his contributions to the humanities and his enduring kindness guarantee his reminiscence will reside on,” Harris’ assertion concluded.
Cole is survived by his spouse Shelley and the actor’s kids.
