Michael Cole, who most famously portrayed Pete Cochran, one of many three younger undercover cops on ABC’s crime drama Mod Squad (1968-1973), died on Tuesday, December 10. He was 84 years previous.
The tragic information was initially reported by just a few shops, together with Selection, whose representatives shared that the actor died “peacefully this morning, surrounded by family members, after dwelling a full and vibrant life.” Cole died at Windfall Cedars-Sinai Medical Middle in Tarzana, California, publicist Rachel Harris introduced, based on The Hollywood Reporter. No explanation for loss of life has been revealed right now.
Cole was born on July 3, 1940, in Madison, Wisconsin. He guest-starred on a number of exhibits within the Sixties, together with Gunsmoke, earlier than he acquired his large breakthrough through Mod Squad. Co-starring Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III, Cole’s character was the disgruntled son of well-to-do dad and mom. After his character acquired arrested, he averted jail time when all three agreed to turn into cops. The tagline for the hit sequence was “One white, one black, one blonde.” Cole equally named his 2018 memoir I Performed the White Man.
Mod Squad tapped into the counterculture of the period and tackled points that different sequence shied away from, like racism, drug use, and anti-war sentiments. The three-member cop group, Linc, Julie, and Pete (Cole, Lipton, and Williams), usually discovered themselves infiltrating components of society the place different cops (not to mention different exhibits) didn’t dare go. Cole was the final surviving member of the unique principal solid.
Followers and friends took to social media to pay tribute on X after the information broke.
Michael Cole’s ultimate position was within the TV film I wrote known as GRAVE MISCONDUCT. Right here he’s sharing the display with Joanna Miles and Crystal Bernard. My condolences exit to his household and mates. https://t.co/XN5RzYeJaY pic.twitter.com/6Nr9uBZuIr
— Matthew Chernov (@MatthewChernov) December 10, 2024
“Michael Cole, ‘Mod Squad’ Star, Dies at 84 I beloved Mod Squad once I was a child. Thanks Michael on your work,” one other fan wrote.
After Mod Squad ended, Cole continued his performing work on numerous TV exhibits and miniseries. He appeared on Homicide, She Wrote, Fantasy Island, Marvel Girl, and The Love Boat. He additionally performed the grownup model of Henry Bowers in Stephen King’s horrifying 1990 It mini-series and on Normal Hospital as Harlan Barrett.
Cole additionally appeared in motion pictures, together with The Bubble, Nickel Mountain, Mr. Brooks. His ultimate movie position was in 2008, when he graced the display in Grave Misconduct. He additionally had a love of theater, taking the stage for performs like Cat on a Sizzling Tin Roof.
The star was married and thrice and divorced twice. He’s survived by his third spouse Shelley, and his two kids from his first marriage.