Michael Cole,The Mod SquadActor, Dies at 84: 'A Defining Figure of the Era'

Mar. 15, 2025

Michael Cole.Photo:Michael Schwartz/WireImage

Michael Schwartz/WireImage

Michael Cole, best known for his role inThe Mod Squad, has died. He was 84.

“Beyond his career, Michael Cole will be remembered for his warm and generous spirit,” the statement continued. “Known among friends and family 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.”

“While his loss is deeply felt, his contributions to the arts and his enduring kindness ensure his memory will live on.”

Michael Cole in ‘Mod Squad’.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Cole rose to prominence with his breakout role as Cochran in the late 1960s.The Mod Squadfollowed 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' official logline.

The “youth squad” consisted of Peter, “whose wealthy parents kicked him out of their posh Beverly Hills home; Linc, a survivor of the ghetto; and Julie, a former hooker arrested for vagrancy.”

In addition to becoming a household name, Cole’s portrayal often explored racial and social justice as the series tackled contemporary social issues. The show aired for five seasons from 1968 to 1973 and also starred Peggy Lipton andClarence Williams III.

Michael Cole.Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

AfterThe Mod Squadaired its final episode, Cole went on to appear inMurder, She Wrote,Fantasy Island,Wonder WomanandThe Love Boat. In 1990, he took on the role of adult Henry Bowers in the mini series adaptation of Stephen King’sIt.He also appeared as Harlan Barrett inGeneral Hospital.

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In 2009, Cole also released a memoir,I Played the White Guy, in which he opened up about his decades-long career and shared a detailed account about his experiences in Hollywood.

source: people.com