Michael Cole, an actor best known for his roles in "The Mod Squad" and "General Hospital," died at 84.
“He was my inspiration to the craft of acting and helped guide me my whole career,” Cole's nephew wrote. “He taught me of his passion as an artist ... as a story teller ... as an actor. But first, he was my Uncle ... who I loved deeply.”
“We are forever bound as family. I love you Uncle Mike,” he wrote.
Born on July 3, 1940, in Madison, Wisconsin, Cole made his acting debut in the 1961 film "Forbid Them Not" before landing his first TV series appearance in "Gunsmoke" in 1966. This was followed by films such as "The Bubble," "Chuka," and "The Last Child."
Cole is best known for his long stint in ABC's hit police drama series "The Mod Squad," where he featured in 123 episodes. The show followed "a trio of reformed juvenile delinquents" working as undercover police, according to IMDB, with Cole portraying the character Pete Cochran. He starred alongside late stars Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III for the show's five seasons, which aired from 1968 to 1973. Cole reprised his role in 1979, alongside Lipton and Williams, in the movie "The Return of Mod Squad."
After "The Mod Squad," the actor appeared in other notable works including "Wonder Woman," "Police Story," "Fantasy Island," and "The Love Boat." In the 1990s, Cole took on the role of Henry Bowers in the mini-series adaptation of Stephen King's "It," before landing the part of Harlan Barrett in the American daytime television soap opera "General Hospital" for 64 episodes.
In 2009, Cole published a memoir, titled "I Played the White Guy," which offered readers insights into his experiences from a decades-long career in Hollywood and his personal life. Cole’s last credit was in the 2010 short film "Father’s Day."
In addition to his nephew, Cole is survived by his wife Shelley Funes, and his three children from two previous marriages.