Actor David Soule, who played detective “Kenneth Hutchinson” in the 1970s buddy cop TV series “Starsky and Hutch,” has died at age 80. The news was confirmed by his wife Helen Snell.

According to entertainment portal DMZ, a family member revealed that the actor died on Thursday in a London hospital after battling cancer. David Soul was surrounded by his family when he died.

His wife Helen Snell said: “A beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother died yesterday after a brave fight for life in the loving company of family. “He shared many extraordinary gifts with the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and loving friend.” He added: “His smile, laugh and zest for life will be remembered by the many he touched.”

David Richard Solberg, his real name, was born on August 28, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. He accepted British citizenship in 2004.

According to TMZ, the actor suffered a series of health problems throughout his life, most notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by a cigarette addiction.

David became a pop icon in the 1970s as Detective “Dave Starsky” opposite Paul Michael Glaser as a hatchet, blond-haired, blue-eyed detective. He worked on all 92 episodes from 1975 to 1979, covering four seasons on television. He also directed some episodes.

After “Starsky and Hutch,” Soule starred in the 1979 television miniseries “Salem's Lot” and the 1980 television movie “Homeward Bound.”

Before his hatchet fame, David got his start in Hollywood in the mid-1960s with small television roles in “Flipper,” “I Dream of Genie” and “Star Trek.”

He was also a very successful singer and songwriter, scoring a number one hit in 1976 with “Don't Give Up on Us.”

David moved to England in the 90s and began acting in West End theater productions and British TV shows. He became a British citizen in 2004.