Michael Cole, a Star of 'The Mod Squad,' Is Dead at 84
Source: NYT
The show, about three hippies who become undercover crime fighters, ran from 1968 to 1973. Mr. Cole had been the last of its three stars still living.
By Alexandra E. Petri
Dec. 11, 2024
Michael Cole, the actor best known as one of the three actors who played hip, young undercover police officers on the hit ABC crime drama “The Mod Squad,” died on Tuesday at a medical center in Los Angeles. He was 84.
His death was confirmed by his representative, Rachel Harris. She did not specify a cause.
Mr. Cole was a young, struggling actor when he achieved overnight success on “The Mod Squad,” which ran from 1968 to 1973 and co-starred Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III.
“The Mod Squad” was one of the first prime-time series to acknowledge the counterculture and an early example of multiracial casting. It centered on three hippies in trouble with the law, who avoid jail time by joining the police department and working undercover.
Michael Cole in the late 1960s. He was a star of the hit TV series “The Mod Squad” from 1968 to 1973.Credit...Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives — Getty
Original link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/arts/television/michael-cole-dead.html
A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 12, 2024, Section A, Page 23 of the New York edition with the headline: Michael Cole, 84, Who Rose To Fame on ‘The Mod Squad’.
Read more: http://archive.today/lCaxE
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Harker
(15,625 posts)JohnnyRingo
(19,673 posts)Back then my hippie friends and I didn't see the show anymore about three heroes than just selfish narcs, setting people up to save their own hides. It was seen as blatant brainwashing to encourage us to turn in our friends. We laughed at the show's premise. Julie was still hot though. LOL
That doesn't mean Cole the actor was a bad person, like Elvis when he went to work with the FBI to imprison people more cool than he was, so RIP Michael. ...Rest In Peace.
BumRushDaShow
(147,640 posts)I used to watch that.
All 3 gone within 5 years of each other. Peggy was the "baby" of that group.
C0RI0LANUS
(3,013 posts)Set in the not too distant future, this is a cautionary Malthusian tale with elements of Les Miserables sprinkled in. You will recognize the supporting actors. RIP: Michael Cole.
mike_c
(36,464 posts)The mod squad.
wolfie001
(4,094 posts)I was 10 in 1970 and so much was happening. Kudos to this inclusive ad but this is fashion criminality
wolfie001
(4,094 posts)Working for "The Man" ...................Snitches get stitches