David Soul's five wives: The Starsky and Hutch star's love life from first wedding to Louisiana beau

He was best known for his role as Detective Kenneth 'Hutch' Hutchinson in Starsky  & Hutch, alongside a varied career on the small screen.

But outside of showbusiness David Soul, who has died aged 80, had an equally dramatic life, marrying five times and welcoming six children.

The actor married five times and leaves behind five sons and a daughter. He first wed the actress Mirriam 'Mim' Solberg (née Russeth) in 1964, but this lasted only a year.

Further unions followed with Karen Carlson, who he met on the set of TV series Here Comes the Brides; Patti Carnel Sherman, the ex-wife of 1960s pop idol Bobby Sherman; and the actress Julia Nickson.

During the years he was filming Starsky & Hutch, Soul had an open relationship with actress Lynne Marta - but they never married. He also had a long-term relationship with Alexa Hamilton, 20 years his junior, but once again failed to ever tie the knot with her.

From his first marriage aged just 21, to finally finding love with the 'most beautiful woman he's ever seen' in his golden years, the London-born star never struggled with finding romances - even if several of them were rather turbulent.

Here, FEMAIL looks back at the five wives of David Soul....

David leaves behind wife Helen Snell, who he met while she was doing PR for a play (pictured together)

MIRIAM RUSSETH 

David first married aged just 21 in 1964, but it was short-lived, with the pair divorcing after just one year.

Little is known about his first marriage to American Miriam 'Mim' Russeth, which was before he found fame. 

Professionally known as Mim Solberg, the Minnesota native appeared in 1988's Gemini: The Twin Stars; 1984's TV series Partners In Crime; and 1982's TV movie A Christmas Carol, according to her IMDB profile.

When their marriage ended, People reported that: 'David grabbed his guitar and ran off to New York to try his luck in show business.'

KAREN CARLSON

In 1968, three years after his first divorce, David tied the knot with his Here Come the Brides co-star Karen Carlson.

The Louisiana-born star was a beauty queen before starting up a career as an actress starring in various variety shows before landing the role of Nancy Scofield in Dallas.

She also starred in some episode of Starsky and Hutch alongside her husband, but now focuses more on writing and directing.

The couple had one child together, Jon Kristjian Solberg, born on April 3, 1971.

They split in 1977, and Karen went on to marry musician Devin Payne, who she shares two children with.

In 1968, three years after his first divorce, David tied the knot with his Here Come the Brides co-star Karen Carlson

The Louisiana-born star, was a beauty queen before starting up a career as an actress starring in various variety shows before landing the role of Nancy Scofield in Dallas

PATTI CARNERL SHERMAN

Three years after splitting from Karen, David went onto his third marriage with Patti Carnerl Sherman, the ex-wife of 70s pop idol Bobby Sherman, making him a stepdad to her two children

Three years after splitting from Karen, David went onto his third marriage with Patti Carnerl Sherman, the ex-wife of 70s pop idol Bobby Sherman, making him a stepdad to Patti's two children.

Sadly, the marriage also ended in a dramatic fashion, with Soul attacking Patti while she was seven months' pregnant.

He was jailed and ordered to attended classes for alcoholism after the attack.

Speaking in 2003, Soul said that he regretted the attack. 

Starring in a series for the BBC to raise awareness of domestic violence, he said: 'There is no excuse. The hardest part is to look at oneself and to those you love and that you have hurt. We live with the guilt and shame.

'Anger is an incredible power.

'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.'

JULIA NICKSON 

Soul's fourth marriage was to Julia Nickson in 1987

With the Singaporean-American actress he welcomed one child, named China Soul, now 35, who has a successful career as a singer

Soul's fourth marriage was to Julia Nickson in 1987.

The pair met on the set of TV movie Harry's Hong Kong, which was released that same year, about a private detective who is targeted by a Chinese syndicate and authorities while he probes the death of a friend.

In the aftermath of their split in 1993, according to the South China Morning Post, Soul said: 'The relationship was strained because I was drinking. Julia and I would fight over that.

'In 1989 she persuaded me to enter a rehabilitation clinic. Julia told me "you're destroying yourself with your drinking - you've got to do something."'

With the Singaporean-American actress he welcomed one child, named China Soul, who is now 35 and has a successful career as a singer.

Julia also has a showbusiness career booking work as both a model and actress.

Her credits include roles in  Rambo: First Blood Part II, Magnum PI and Days Of Our Lives.

HELEN SNELL

After a series of failed romances, David finally found his soulmate in 2002, when he met PR girl Helen Snell, about 30 years his junior

Unlike his exes, Helen wasn't an actress. They met when she was doing marketing for Deathtrap, a play he was touring the UK with

After a series of failed romances, David finally found his soulmate in 2002, when he met PR girl Helen Snell, about 30 years his junior. 

Unlike his exes, Helen wasn't an actress. They met when she was doing marketing for Deathtrap, a play he was touring the UK with.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2015, he described Helen as the 'most beautiful, wonderful woman I could possibly imagine'.

Describing how they met, he explained: 'She was doing the PR for Deathtrap, a play I toured with in Britain, and we didn't hit it off initially because I don't like PR bull***t so I wasn't one of her favourite clients! She'd never seen Starsky & Hutch and didn't really know who I was.

'But as we evolved I began to see who she really was, and we eventually married on 26 June 2010 in Devon, where her uncle and aunt live. But it was that life-changing moment when we met that led me to another: becoming a British citizen.

'I have a long history with England. I'd spent time here as a child, visiting with my parents from Berlin, where we lived for a while.

'I finally got British citizenship in 2004 because I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life here with Helen. To get it I had to go to council offices in Haringey and be sworn in with 25 other people from around the world.'

David Soul dies aged 80: Starsky & Hutch star who won cult status for 1970s TV series and topped the charts with hit 'Don't Give Up On Us' passes away after 'valiant battle for life' - as his heartbroken wife leads tributes 

David Soul, who won cult status for his role in 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch before topping the charts with his hit 'Don't Give Up On Us', has died at the age of 80. 

His heartbroken wife Helen Snell said the British-American star had passed away surrounded by his family following a 'valiant battle for life'. 

She said in a statement: 'David Soul - beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother - died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.

'He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.'

Soul played Detective Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser's Detective Dave Starsky. The pair remained friends, and in 2017 Glaser was seen pushing his old co-star on a wheelchair into the Comic Con in Liverpool. 

Soul married five times and leaves behind five sons and a daughter. He first wed the actress Mirriam 'Mim' Solberg in 1964, but this lasted only a year. 

Further unions followed with Karen Carlson, who he met on the set of TV series Here Comes the Brides; Patti Carnel Sherman, the ex-wife of 1960s pop idol Bobby Sherman; and the actress Julia NIckson. 

Soul described how he 'fell in love' with Britain after spending time there for work and lived in Maida Vale for many years - becoming a dedicated Arsenal fan. He gained citizenship in 2004. He met Helen Snell, a PR executive, in 2002 on the stage production of Deathtrap and they married in 2010.  

Glaser is now aged 80 and an abstract artist. He is also honorary chairman of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The charity is named in honour of his first wife, who died after contracting HIV through a blood transfusion while giving birth to their first child, Ariel, who also died aged seven. 

David Soul has died aged 80, his wife Helen Snell announced this afternoon in a heartfelt statement 

David Soul as Hutch alongside Paul Michael Glaser as Starsky in season three of Starsky and Hutch 

Soul met Helen Snell, a PR executive, in 2002 on the stage production of Deathtrap and they married in 2010. They're seen together in London in 2015

in 2017 Glaser was seen pushing his old co-star on a wheelchair into the Comic Con in Liverpool

There was a flood of tributes to Soul on social media today, with the actor hailed as a 'bright light and an inspiration'. 

Star Trek actor William Shatner shared on social media: 'Condolences to the family of David Soul. One of his early roles was on an episode of Star Trek Original Series.'

Supermodel Carol Alt told DailyMail.com: 'I grew up with the handsome David Soul starring in Starsky & Hutch. That show was a weekly staple thanks to David, who had real star power and a strong presence. I loved his character. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.'

Singer Nikki Lund - who sang You & I with Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi - posted: 'He was such a bright light and an inspiration for so many singers. And he was the meaning of masculine charm in the 1970s that still has an impact today. I am really sad he is no longer with us.'

Jonathan Cheban, aka FoodGod from Keeping Up With The Kardashians, remarked: 'His loss will be felt. I mean, he is one of the most memorable TV actors from the 1970s.'

Fans also made comments about the star.

'RIP David Soul - thanks for all you did on the small screen.'

And another said: 'Very sad to hear about David Soul. I loved his 70s song, I still listen to it now and then.' 

Soul became an international star and pin-up thanks to Starsky and Hutch during the show's four year run between 1975 and 1979.

He had a cameo in a 2004 feature film remake of the hit show, starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch, which introduced the legendary characters to another younger generation.  

The original series ran for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 1979, following the title characters, detectives who fought crime on the streets of the fictional Bay City, California in a bright red Gran Torino, with Antonio Fargas playing their informant, Huggy Bear.

Soul also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don't Give Up On Us Baby in 1976.

Soul in October 1970 with his second wife, the American actress Karen Carlson

Soul in a photo taken in 1982 with his third wife, Patti Carnel Sherman

The actor in Los Angeles with actress Julia Nickson, his fourth wife, and their children 

South and Ms Nickson on November 30, 1988 dining at Spago in West Hollywood, California

Soul met Ms Snell while performing in Deathtrap, when she was doing public relations for the play, and described her as his 'soulmate'

Soul as Detective Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser's Detective Dave Starsky

He also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don't Give Up On Us Baby in 1976. Soul is pictured in 1975

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot (pictured in 1977) 

Further chart toppers would follow in 1977, with singles Going In With My Eyes Open and Silver Lady, but Soul's foray as a singer would end 12-months later with the release of It Sure Brings Out The Love In Your Eyes - his fifth and final single.

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot.

Born in Chicago on August 28 1943 as David Solberg, he spent his childhood between South Dakota and post-Second World War Berlin.

His father Dr Richard Solberg, a professor of history and political science and an ordained minister, moved them to Berlin where he was a religious affairs adviser to the US high commission.

Starting out as a musician, he sang on The Merv Griffin show and appeared in 1960s' dolphin series Flipper.

He acted in Star Trek, Here Come The Brides, Perry Mason and Johnny Got His Gun, throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Soul got his break as officer John Davis in Clint Eastwood's police yarn Magnum Force, about Inspector Harold Callahan, which led to a part in Starsky & Hutch from 1974 to 1979. 

At the height of his fame he released the UK chart-toppers Don't Give Up On Us and Silver Lady, and the hits Going In With My Eyes Open and Let's Have A Quiet Night In.

He also went on to appear in TV series Salem's Lot, an adaption of Stephen King's novel 'Salem's Lot, as Ben Mears, who returns to his hometown, which has been taken over by vampires.

Soul was also in Miami Vice, Harry's Hong Kong, Homeward Bound and a TV series remake of Casablanca.

In the 1990s, he made his debut on the West End stage in the award-winning play Blood Brothers while he was living in the UK.

His turn in British theatre led to a role as a surgeon on BBC hospital drama Holby City and he also appeared in detective shows Poirot and Dalziel And Pascoe.

Soul also starred in the musical Jerry Springer - The Opera as the infamous talk show host, taking over from Michael Brandon in 2004.

He gained British citizenship in 2004 and had been living in London with his fifth wife, Helen Snell, since 2010. 

Soul in 1948 aged five in a shirt made by his mother. He told Weekend magazine in 2021: 'We moved to Germany from South Dakota when my father, a Lutheran minister, became religious affairs advisor to the US High Commission. He took supplies into East Germany and offered counselling. He also gathered information for US authorities during the escalating Cold War'

Long before The Masked Singer on ITV, Soul performed on The Merv Griffin Show in New York as The Covered Man. He's pictured in 1965

Soul in 1968 during his first regular acting role on Here Come The Brides, an American Western series, set shortly after the Civil War

The actor in 1973 with Clint Eastwood [left] on the action thriller Magnum Force

Soul and Glaser in 1978 on the set of Starsky and Hutch with Princess Margaret

Referring to his love of the UK in 2015, he told MailOnline: 'Britain is beautiful. I like south Devon a lot, the bleakness of Dartmoor.

'And I like being in a country steeped in history. I return to the States about three times a year as my five sons all live there, though my daughter lives here.'

He added: 'When Paul Michael Glaser and I were filming Starsky & Hutch in the 70s, Princess Margaret once came to meet us on the set because she liked the show.

'We took her to lunch and, suffice to say, we didn't go back to work in the afternoon. Also we were told the Queen Mother once said, 'I like those boys so much!' But I don't think I'll ever be Sir David, even though I act like it sometimes!

'The only person I'd care to call me Sir David is my wife, as I call her Lady Helen!'

Soul was also known for his social activism, particular around animals.

The former BBC war reporter Martin Bell, who Soul helped in his successful 1997 UK parliamentary election campaign, spoke warmly of their friendship.

'I like the fact that David seems unaffected by being famous,' he told the Independent in 1999.'It can't have been easy when Starsky and Hutch finished, but he just got on with life and forged a career for himself as a singer and stage actor.'

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