Michael Cole, the last surviving star of the 1970s crime drama “Mod Squad,” died Tuesday at the age of 84.
According to Cole's rep, the actor died peacefully “surrounded by his loved ones after living a full and vibrant life.” said USA Today. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
“A storyteller at heart, he has a way of making those around him feel special, often entertaining them with anecdotes from his Hollywood days or sharing wisdom gleaned from his incredible travels. We even shared it,” the agent said.
Promotional studio portrait of actors Michael Cole (left), Clarence Williams III, and Peggy Lipton from the television series The Mod Squad, c. 1968. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Cole is best known for his role as young detective Pete Cochran on ABC's “The Mod Squad,” which aired for 123 episodes from 1968 to 1973. The series also starred Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III, who preceded Cole in 2019 and 2021. each.
After this role, the Wisconsin native solidified his Hollywood career with appearances in “Gunsmoke,” “The Bubble” and “Chuka” in “Mod Squad.”
Cole's other credits include “Wonder Woman,'' “The Love Boat,'' “CHiPs,'' “Murder She Wrote,'' “ER,'' “Fantasy Island,'' and Stephen King's “It.'' Includes an adapted 1990 miniseries.
The actor also appeared in Kevin Costner's Mr. Brooks in 2007 and the made-for-television movie Grave Misconduct in 2008, which was Cole's last film role.
Promotional portrait (LR) of actors on a college campus for the television series “The Mod Squad”: Peggy Lipton, Michael Cole, Tige Andrews, Clarence Williams III, c. 1968. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Cole is survived by his third wife, Sherry Funes, and his children from his first two marriages. (Related: Wrestler and actor dies at 65, co-star George Clooney pays tribute)
Fans, colleagues and loved ones took to social media to pay their final respects and say goodbye to the star.
