David Soul kept a happy attitude despite his triumphs, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment business.
As fans grieve the death of a wonderful actor and resilient individual, David Soul’s journey serves as a sad reminder of life’s fragility and the strength found in fighting adversity with courage and grace.
What illness did David Soul have?
Soul’s death at the age of 80 marked the end of a valiant battle against hidden health issues, with his beloved wife, Helen Snell, imparting the terrible news.
While the actual reason of David Soul’s death was not divulged, it was found that the actor was dealing with cancer as well as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Despite the formidable nature of his opponents, Soul faced them with unrelenting resolve and an indomitable spirit.
In breaking the news, Helen Snell emphasized her husband’s brave battle against not only cancer and COPD, but also other unspecified conditions.
Fans were well aware of David Soul’s health issues. In 2017, the actor spent 72 days in intensive care, demonstrating the depth of his health concerns. Tracheostomy-induced hip replacement surgery added to his physical limitations, necessitating a difficult recovery period.
Soul, in a forthright interview in 2019, blamed his COPD on a decades-long habit of smoking three packs of cigarettes each day, which he freely admitted and accepted responsibility for.
Despite his physical issues, David Soul never let them impair his positive outlook or excitement for life. Soul’s most renowned portrayal as Detective “Hutch” Hutchinson cemented his place in television history, but his artistic legacy stretched well beyond that.
