60s TV star Michael Cole from police drama The Mod Squad dies aged 84-Laura Harman-Entertainment – Metro

Michael Cole has died at age 84 (Picture: Rex/Getty)

Michael Cole, best known for being the last surviving member of The Mod Squad, has died at the age of 84.

A statement from representatives confirmed that the actor died on Tuesday morning while ‘surrounded by his loved ones.’

The actor was praised for having a ‘living a full and vibrant life’, but details about his passing were not revealed.

‘Cole’s talent, combined with his magnetic presence, made him a defining figure of the era,’ the release said.

Cole will be remembered by many as Pete Cochran, one of the three young undercover police officers in The Mod Squad, a series that ran on ABC from 1968 until 1973.

He was the last surviving member of the squad after Lipton passed away in 2019, and Williams died in 2021.

The statement announcing his death continued: ‘The Mod Squad not only made him a household name but also broke barriers by addressing themes of racial and social justice, with Cole’s performance helping to bring authenticity and heart to the series.’

The series also starred Clarence III Williams and Peggy Lipton (Picture: Thomas/Spelling/Kobal/Shutterstock)

The actor was considered a heartthrob at the time (Picture: Everett/Shutterstock)

Cole was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1940. He began his career in showbiz in The Mod Squad but also appeared in several other shows including Wonder Woman, The Love Boat? and CHiPs.

In the 1990s, he joined the cast of General Hospital as Harlan Barrett. He also appeared in Diagnosis Murder and Murder She Wrote.

The actor was married three times and had three children, two from his first marriage and a daughter from his second.

In 1996 the actor married Shelley Funes, who helped him with his sobriety and he remained sober for the rest of his life.

The actor leaves behind three children (Picture: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

The series was progressive for the 60s (Picture: Everett/Shutterstock)

The statement concluded: ‘Beyond his career, Michael Cole will be remembered for his warm and generous spirit.

‘Known among friends and family for his wit, charm, and boundless compassion, he brought joy to every room he entered.

‘A storyteller at heart, he had a way of making those around him feel special, often regaling them with anecdotes from his Hollywood days or sharing wisdom from his remarkable journey.

‘While his loss is deeply felt, his contributions to the arts and his enduring kindness ensure his memory will live on.’

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