Here's How David Soul of 'Starsky & Hutch' Fought Alcoholism and Bankruptcy

Publish date: 2024-05-17

Legendary actor and singer David Soul is known for his role as Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the hit TV series "Starsky & Hutch."

In any case, like most of us, Soul's life has had its ups and downs. He is recovering from liquor addiction and has been sober for quite a long time now.

"I sit with guys who are grieving over what they did; they paid the consequence and now they want to understand."

David Soul at The Empire Leicester Square on June 23, 2014 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images

Soul began drinking vigorously when he was at the highest point of his popularity, and that drove him to bankruptcy and violence.

Subsequent to assaulting his third wife Pattie Carmel while she was seven months pregnant, he was ordered to go to therapy classes for alcoholism.

As a recovered alcoholic, Soul has built on the experience by visiting men's prisons and probationary groups to talk about violence against women.

"Anger is an incredible power," he said. "But it can be completely negative and mindless. I sit with guys who are grieving over what they did; they paid the consequence and now they want to understand."

Helen Snell and David Soul at King's Cross Theatre on January 14, 2015 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images

Nowadays, Soul lives quietly in London with his fifth wife, Helen Snell. The couple, who had been in a relationship since 2002, tied the knot in June 2010. They met when Soul was working in the British stage production of "Deathtrap."

Though Soul admitted that he doesn't have a lot of money on hand, according to him, he has enough to live on.

David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser at Burbank Airport Marriott on February 11, 2012 in Burbank, California | Photo: Getty Images

"There are a lot of things I’d like to do, but, mostly, when I leave this place I want my wife to be OK," he said. "Helen is my life, and I want that our love continues to (fulfill) her, wherever and (forever). She’s an incredible woman, a truly wonderful person. I’m a lucky guy.”

Soul, who has had a cancer removed from his left lung and faces a continuous battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, became a British citizen in 2004, but he visits his children in the States regularly, at least three times per year.

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