WASHINGTON — Actor Michael Cole, who played Pete Cochran on "The Mod Squad," died at age 84 Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Outlets including the New York Times and Variety cited Cole's talent agency as confirming the actor died “peacefully this morning, surrounded by loved ones, after living a full and vibrant life.”
Cole got his start on shows like "Gunsmoke" before landing a starring role in the 1968-1973 police procedural "The Mod Squad." The ABC show had him starring alongside Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III as a trio of troubled youths who were offered a chance to become undercover police officers rather than do jail time for various offenses.
The show tackled issues such as abortion, domestic violence and police brutality in a time when the public discourse about social issues was reaching the masses through television for the first time.
Cole was the last surviving regular cast member from the series, after Lipton died in 2019 and Williams died in 2021.
Cole also appeared in shows like “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Love Boat,” “Wonder Woman” and “Fantasy Island.”
In the 1990s, Cole landed a role as Harlan Barrett on "General Hospital," with a run of 64 episodes before his character was killed by Bill Eckert, played by Anthony Geary.
He was also the adult Henry Bowers in the mini-series adaptation of Stephen King's "It."
His final listed acting role was in 2008’s”Grave Misconduct.” A year later, Cole released his memoir, titled "I played the White Guy," offering a candid look at his experience in Hollywood.
Cole is survived by his wife Shelly and children.
