Michael Cole, an actor best known for his roles in “The Mod Squad” and “General Hospital” has died at the age of 84.
Cole’s nephew, also named Michael Cole, confirmed in a statement that the late star died on Tuesday. Cole’s nephew announced the news in a Facebook post on Dec. 11 alongside several photos of the late star. The cause of death was not revealed.
“He was my inspiration to the craft of acting and helped guide me my whole career,” the statement read. “He taught me of his passion as an artist … as a story teller … as an actor. But first, he was my Uncle … who I loved deeply.”
“We are forever bound as family. I love you Uncle Mike,” he concluded.
Born July 3, 1940 in Madison, Wisconsin, Cole made his acting debut in the 1961 movie “Forbid Them Not” before landing his first TV series appearance in 1966 “Gunsmoke” followed by films such as “The Bubble,” “Chuka” and “The Last Child.”
Cole is best known for his long stint in the ABC police drama series “The Mod Squad” which he featured in 123 episodes. The show followed “a trio of reformed juvenile delinquents work as undercover cops,” according to IMDB, with Cole portraying the character Pete Cochran. He starred alongside late stars Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III for the show’s five seasons which aired from 1968 to 1973. Cole reprised his role in 1979, alongside Lipton and Williams III, in the movie “The Return of Mod Squad.”
Cole was the last living member of “The Mod Squad” trio following Lipton’s death in May 2019 at age 72, while Williams III died in 2021 at age 81. During its five-year run, “The Mod Squad” garnered seven Emmy Award nominations and eight Golden Globe nominations.
Following the conclusion of “The Mod Squad,” the actor appeared in other notable works including “Wonder Woman,” “Police Story,” “Fantasy Island” and “The Love Boat.” In the 1990s, Cole took on the role of Henry Bowers in the mini-series adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” before landing the part of Harlan Barrett in the American daytime television soap opera “General Hospital” for 64 episodes.
In 2009, Cole published a memoir, titled “I Played the White Guy,” which offered readers a look into his experiences in a decades-long career in Hollywood and his personal life. Cole’s last credit was in the 2010 short film “Father’s Day.”
In addition the his nephew, Cole is survived by his wife Shelley Funes, daughter Jennifer and sisters Deborah and Colleen.