Michael Cole, who captured the zeitgeist of 1960s counterculture as undercover cop Pete Cochran in ABC’s groundbreaking series “The Mod Squad,” died December 10, 2024 in Tarzana, California. He was 84.
His representative Rachel Harris confirmed Cole passed away peacefully surrounded by family members.
Born July 3, 1940 in Madison, Wisconsin, Cole’s path to stardom was unconventional. After dropping out of high school and marrying his pregnant girlfriend at 16, he relocated to Las Vegas, where a chance encounter with singer Bobby Darin sparked his acting ambitions. Cole subsequently moved to Los Angeles, where he studied under acting coach Estelle Harman while living beneath freeways as he pursued his dream. He divorced his wife before he was 20, after having fathered two children.
Producer Aaron Spelling cast Cole in “The Mod Squad” (1968-1973), seeing him as the embodiment of rebellious youth culture. The series followed three young undercover officers who infiltrated high schools and counterculture gatherings to solve crimes.
The show broke new ground in television by addressing contemporary social issues including racism, abortion, the Vietnam War, and police brutality. Cole starred alongside Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III, who died in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
“The Mod Squad” received three consecutive Golden Globe nominations for best TV drama from 1970 to 1972. In 1979, Cole reunited with his co-stars for “The Return of Mod Squad” television movie.
Following the series, Cole maintained a steady presence on television, appearing in “Wonder Woman,” “The Love Boat,” “CHiPs,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “7th Heaven.” In the early 1990s, he took on a recurring role as Harlan Barrett in “General Hospital,” appearing in more than 60 episodes.
Cole faced personal challenges throughout his career. In the early 1990s, he sought treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic for alcohol addiction. He later achieved sobriety with support from his third wife, Shelley Funes.
In 2009, Cole published his memoir “I Played the White Guy,” offering candid insights into his Hollywood experiences. His final acting role came in the 2010 short film “Father’s Day.”
