Michael Cole, who performed one-third of “The Mod Squad,” has died. He was 84 years outdated.
The actor performed Pete Cochran on the hit ABC crime present that ran from 1968 to ’73. Cole died Tuesday, his Atlanta-based expertise agent, Christy Clark, confirmed to the Times.
In the wake of a decade of civil unrest as a result of Vietnam War and the mid-century civil rights motion, “The Mod Squad” made crime-fighting interesting to the counterculture of youthful generations.
Peggy Lipton, left, Michael Cole, Clarence Williams III and Tige Andrews in a scene from the Nineteen Sixties TV sequence “The Mod Squad.”
(ABC)
With “one black, one white, one blonde” because the present’s tagline, “the riffraff on the fallacious aspect of the regulation had been now the regulation,” mentioned TV critic Lorraine Ali in 2018. That similar 12 months, Cole wrote a guide of memoirs that referenced his position as an undercover cop entitled “I played the white guy.”
Cole’s nephew, who is known as after him, introduced his uncle’s dying in a publish on Monday Facebook. “He has been my inspiration for the artwork of performing and has helped information me all through my profession. He taught me his ardour as an artist… as a storyteller… as an actor. But initially he was my uncle… who I beloved deeply.”
Cole spoke in regards to the position in a 1999 interview with The Times.
“I used to be like a insurgent with a trigger,” he mentioned.
Cole’s Pete Cochran, Peggy Lipton’s Julie Barnes and Linc Hayes, performed by Clarence Williams III, had been all younger males in hassle with the regulation. Police Captain Adam Greer (Tige Andrews) labored with them so they might keep away from jail time. The trio mingled among the many crime scenes – and suspects – they investigated.
Cole informed the Times he remained in contact with co-stars Lipton and Williams, who died in 2019 and 2021, respectively. He additionally mentioned he was a fan of the revival of the 1979 TV film “The Return of the Mod Squad,” which he mentioned captured “the bond and affection” that was on the coronary heart of the unique.
One of his different notable roles was as Harlan Barrett, a heartthrob on the 1991 daytime drama “General Hospital,” who was a recurring character for a number of months. He additionally appeared on the tv exhibits “ER,” “The Love Boat” and “Police Story,” in addition to Stephen King’s 1990 miniseries “It.”
Born in working-class Madison, Wisconsin, in 1940, Cole moved to Los Angeles as a hungry younger actor in 1963, he informed a information convention. Podcast interview from 2018. There, he attended an performing workshop with coach Estelle Harmon and finally bought his large break on “The Mod Squad,” he mentioned, just by being himself. After being divorced twice, he met his now-wife in 1989, who helped him get sober — one in every of his biggest successes, he mentioned.
Cole leaves behind his spouse, Shelley Funes, daughter Jennifer and sisters Deborah and Colleen, his grandson wrote. “We are without end bonded as a household,” the publish states. “I really like you, Uncle Mike.”
