Actor David Soul, who earned fame as the blond half of crime-fighting duo 91裸聊视频淪tarsky & Hutch91裸聊视频� in the popular 1970s series, has died at the age of 80.

His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that 91裸聊视频淒avid Soul 91裸聊视频� beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother 91裸聊视频� died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淗e shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,91裸聊视频� she said in a statement. 91裸聊视频淗is smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.91裸聊视频�

Soul portrayed detective Ken 91裸聊视频淗utch91裸聊视频� Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in 91裸聊视频淪tarsky & Hutch.91裸聊视频� It ran on ABC between 1975 and 1979, and grew so popular it spawned a host of children91裸聊视频檚 toys.

At the height of his fame, Soul also hit the music charts with the single 91裸聊视频淒on91裸聊视频檛 Give Up on Us.91裸聊视频�

Soul had lived in Britain for many years, performing in several stage roles. In 2001, he won a libel case against a journalist who called 91裸聊视频淭he Dead Monkey,91裸聊视频� a play that Soul was in, the worst production he had ever seen - without having seen it.

Soul also played the titular talk-show host in 91裸聊视频淛erry Springer - The Opera91裸聊视频� in London91裸聊视频檚 West End.

Soul and Glaser had cameos in the 2004 big-screen remake of 91裸聊视频淪tarsky & Hutch,91裸聊视频� starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.