2 weeks Ago By Whitney Vasquez
Michael Cole — best known for his role as Pete Cochran in “The Mod Squad” and Harlan Barrett in “General Hospital” — has died at 84. Cole passed away peacefully “surrounded by his loved ones after living a full and vibrant life,” his rep confirmed in a press release on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
They did not reveal his cause of death. “Cole’s talent, combined with his magnetic presence, made him a defining figure of the era,” the statement read. “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.
” His rep shared that “Michael Cole will be remembered for his warm and generous spirit” and 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,” the statement continued. “While his loss is deeply felt, his contributions to the arts and his enduring kindness ensure his memory will live on.
” Cole’s claim to fame was his role as Cochran in the 1960s police drama, in which he starred alongside Marion Ross, 96, and late stars like Peggy Lipton, Clarence Williams III and Tige Andrews. “The Mod Squad” aired in 1968 and lasted 5 seasons on ABC until 1973. The show followed three “hippie” undercover cops with “checkered pasts to infiltrate the counterculture and nail the adult criminals preying on clueless young Southern Californians,” according to the series’ logline.
Each of the “youth squad” members represented mainstream culture’s principal fears at the time: Peter (Cole) “whose wealthy parents kicked him out of their posh Beverly Hills home; Linc (Williams), a survivor of the ghetto; and Julie (Lipton), a former hooker arrested for vagrancy.” The series was ahead of its time — tackling racial and social justice as well as contemporary social issues. “The Mod Squad” earned six Emmy Award nominations and four Golden Globe nominations during its five-year run.
During his time on the show, Cole was involved in a serious car accident that sent him through the windshield. He had to get 123 stitches, according to The Hollywood Reporter. After the series wrapped, Cole went on to appear in shows like “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Love Boat,” “Wonder Woman” and “Fantasy Island.
” In the 1990s, he starred as Henry Bowers in the mini-series adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” before landing another memorable role as Harlan Barrett on “General Hospital.” He was featured as the crooked Barrett Industries chief engineer who was hired to kill Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers). Cole lasted 64 episodes before his character was fatally shot by Bill Eckert (Anthony Geary).
The actor continued to star in smaller roles during the early 2000s, including an episode of “ER.” Cole released a memoir called “I Played the White Guy” in 2009, which detailed his career and experiences in Hollywood. Cole is survived by his third wife , Shelley, his children and his “wide circle of friends, family, and admirers.
”.
