Renowned for his iconic portrayal of Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson in the original “Starsky & Hutch” series from the 1970s, actor and singer David Soul passed away this week at the age of 80.

An announcement posted on the late actor’s official Twitter account this morning shared the news: “David Soul—cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother—passed away yesterday following a courageous battle for life, surrounded by his loving family. He bestowed numerous extraordinary gifts upon the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist, and dear friend. His infectious smile, laughter, and zest for life will be remembered by the many souls he touched.”

In the realm of horror, Soul is remembered for his role as vampire hunter Ben Mears in Tobe Hooper’s adaptation of Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot,” the original miniseries dating back to 1979.

Beyond his stint in horror, Soul made notable appearances in the Richard Matheson-created supernatural anthology series “Circle of Fear.” His engagements in the horror genre extended to shows like “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Hitchhiker,” as well as a role in the 1998 TV movie “Terror in the Mall.”

Aside from his horror credits, Soul’s extensive repertoire encompassed television appearances in “Here Come the Brides,” “The Yellow Rose,” “Star Trek,” “Casablanca” (1983), “Secret of the Sahara,” “Unsub,” and “Murder, She Wrote.” His filmography included memorable roles in movies like “Johnny Got His Gun,” “Magnum Force,” “The Stick Up,” “In the Cold of Night,” “Tides of War,” and his most recent appearance in 2013’s “Filth.”

His IMDb profile highlights Soul’s prosperous singing career, featuring several albums and worldwide chart-topping hits such as “Silver Lady” and “Don’t Give Up on Us Baby.”

David Soul leaves behind his wife Helen Snell and six children, leaving a legacy that spans across entertainment, touching the lives of many with his talents and vibrant spirit.