Michael Cole, Actor on ‘The Mod Squad,’ Dies at 84

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As a fan who grew up watching the groundbreaking television series “The Mod Squad”, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia upon hearing about the passing of Michael Cole, the talented actor who portrayed Pete Cochran. His life was a testament to the power of resilience and determination, as he navigated through the turbulent times of the 60s and 70s, mirroring the spirit of his on-screen character.

Michael Cole, famously known for his role as Pete Cochran in the television series The Mod Squad on ABC from 1968 to 1973, passed away on Tuesday. He was 84 years old.

It was announced by publicist Rachel Harris that Cole had passed away at the Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. The reason for his death remains undisclosed.

As a devoted admirer, let me share some insights about “The Mod Squad,” a captivating series co-created by Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas. In this show, Peggy Lipton brilliantly portrayed Julie Barnes, a former runaway from a troubled life as a flower girl and the daughter of a prostitute. Clarence Williams III brought Lincoln Hayes to life, a character who was apprehended during the Watts riots. My character, Pete, on the other hand, was a privileged young man who found himself out in the cold after my parents kicked me out for stealing and reckless driving.

To escape imprisonment, the trio decided to join the police force under Captain Adam Greer’s tutelage (Tige Andrews). The catchy slogan for the popular show was “One white, one black, one blonde.” (Cole named his 2018 memoir I Played the White Role).

The Mod Squad delved into the spirit of its time, addressing topics such as racism, drug abuse, and anti-war protests by posing as Linc, Julie, and Pete to infiltrate settings like high schools, love-ins, acting classes, and other locations that traditional police officers couldn’t access. This enabled them to capture the criminals.

In the spirit of the counterculture era, they abstained from using weapons during their duties, as stated by Rebeka Knott on Groovy History. Instead, they skillfully apprehended criminals without resorting to much or any violence. This was the essence of the hippie culture – promoting peace.

Cole was born on the 3rd of July, 1940, and spent his formative years in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up, he didn’t have the presence of his biological father; instead, he, his older brother Ted, and their mother Kathleen resided with his grandmother. In his early life, Cole admitted to beginning alcohol consumption around the age of 12 and frequently finding himself in various forms of trouble.

At the age of 16, he chose to leave high school and tied the knot with his pregnant girlfriend, Candi. Together, they welcomed a second child named Jeff into their family, but their marriage ended before Cole reached the age of 20.

Following his departure from Wisconsin, he found himself working as a bartender in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. There, he encountered singer-actor Bobby Darin who offered valuable career guidance. Subsequently, he journeyed to Los Angeles, finding himself penniless and residing under highway overpasses. It was during this challenging time that he crossed paths with esteemed acting coach Estelle Harman, who recognized his untapped talent – “she saw what was within him before I did,” he recounted in 2018 – and generously provided free coaching sessions and even allowed him to sleep on a bed backstage at her workshop.

1966 saw Cole sharing screen time with Deborah Walley in the 3D sci-fi movie “The Bubble.” He also made an appearance on an episode of “Gunsmoke,” where his character portrayed the son of a man slain by Matt Dillon, played by James Arness. This is a simpler and more natural way to rephrase the original sentence.

He caught the attention of a casting director when he read a scene from Picnic at Paramount with another Harman student he had accompanied to an audition, and that led Spelling to pursue him for the job on The Mod Squad. 

Cole declined the role when Spelling proposed it, saying, ‘The concept seems foolish and I sincerely hope it won’t make it to television.’ He wasn’t interested in portraying a character who betrayed other troubled youngsters.

Spelling loved that rebellious attitude, and Cole, of course, would come on board.

The show, crafted by Bud Ruskin, who previously headed an undercover narcotics squad within the LAPD, spanned over five seasons and 123 episodes. While it was on air, its star experienced a car crash that shattered the windscreen and necessitated 130 stitches to mend his facial injuries.

After starring in The Mod Squad, Cole appeared as a guest on various shows including Get Christie Love!, Police Story, Wonder Woman, Beyond Westworld, Fantasy Island, CHiPs, Murder, She Wrote, and ER. He also made an appearance in the Kevin Costner film Mr. Brooks (2007). His work extends to regional theater as well. Additionally, he reunited with the other main cast of The Mod Squad for a reunion telefilm in 1979.

Back in the year 1999, I found myself starring in an MGM flick adaptation of a popular series, where I portrayed Pete alongside Omar Epps and Claire Danes.

Among those who have survived is his third wife, Shelley Funes, a former advertising representative for Rolling Stone, whom he wed in 1996. Prior to their marriage, she played an instrumental role in persuading him to seek treatment at the Betty Ford Center, where Mickey Mantle was also receiving care. It is to her that he gratefully attributed his long-term sobriety.

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2024-12-11 01:55