David Soul, the actor and singer who became a global icon as the cool, intellectual detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson in the 1970s television series *Starsky & Hutch*, led a personal life far more turbulent than any of his on-screen roles. While his professional career soared, his journey through love and marriage was a complex saga marked by five unions, public controversy, and profound personal struggles. This exploration delves into the tumultuous relationships of the Hollywood star, tracing a path from youthful vows and the pressures of fame to a dark chapter of domestic violence, and ultimately, to a final, redemptive love that defined his later years.
Before David Soul became a household name, his personal life was already taking shape. His first two marriages occurred during his formative years as a performer, navigating the early stages of a career that would soon explode into international stardom.
Mirriam "Mim" Solberg (1964-1965)
In 1964, at the young age of 21, David Soul married his first wife, Mirriam "Mim" Solberg. This was a period when Soul was still finding his footing, known more as "The Covered Man" on *The Merv Griffin Show*—a mysterious, masked singer—than as an actor. The marriage was brief, lasting only a year, but it was significant as it brought the birth of his first child. The pressures of a burgeoning career and youth likely contributed to its swift dissolution, a pattern of professional ambition conflicting with personal stability that would reappear in his life.
Karen Carlson (1968-1977)
Soul's second marriage was to actress Karen Carlson in 1968. This relationship spanned the most critical period of his career ascent. During their nine years together, Soul landed prominent roles in films like *Magnum Force* alongside Clint Eastwood and, most notably, was cast in *Starsky & Hutch* in 1975. The show's phenomenal success transformed him from a working actor into a global heartthrob. However, the immense pressure, constant public scrutiny, and demanding schedule that came with such fame took a heavy toll on their union. By 1977, at the peak of the show's popularity, the marriage ended in divorce. This period highlighted a central conflict in Soul's life: the immense difficulty of sustaining a private relationship amidst the whirlwind of public adoration and Hollywood demands.
## The Eye of the Storm: Fame, Addiction, and a Violent PastThe decade following his superstar breakthrough was Soul's most turbulent. Freed from the constraints of a weekly television series but grappling with the aftermath of intense fame, he entered a period marked by personal demons and a relationship that would bring his darkest actions into the public light.
Patti Carnel Sherman (1980-1986): A Marriage Marred by Violence
In 1980, David Soul married Patti Carnel Sherman, the ex-wife of his former *Here Come the Brides* co-star, Bobby Sherman. This relationship would become the most infamous of his life. During this time, Soul was struggling with alcoholism, a battle he later admitted fueled his volatile behavior. The marriage reached a devastating crisis point in 1983 when Soul was arrested for the assault of a then-pregnant Patti.
The incident became a major scandal, tarnishing the wholesome image many fans held of him. He was charged with spousal abuse, and the legal proceedings were closely followed by the media. Ultimately, he pleaded no contest and received a suspended sentence, probation, and was ordered to attend therapy and anger management courses. This chapter became a defining, and deeply regrettable, part of his life story. Years later, Soul expressed profound remorse for his actions, refusing to make excuses for his behavior. He spoke openly about his guilt and used his experience to advocate against domestic violence, visiting prisons to speak with inmates about breaking the cycle of abuse. In an interview, he reflected on this dark period with brutal honesty, stating, **"There is no excuse for violence, and I have to live with that. I will forever be sorry for what I did."**
## A Search for StabilityFollowing the public fallout and personal reckoning of his third marriage, Soul's subsequent relationships appeared to be part of a search for a more stable and private life, away from the destructive patterns of his past.
Julia Nickson (1987-1993)
A year after his divorce from Sherman, Soul married his fourth wife, actress Julia Nickson. The couple met on the set of the television movie *Harry's Hong Kong*. Their union produced a daughter, China Soul, who herself would go on to become a singer and songwriter. For a time, it seemed Soul had found a semblance of peace. However, the marriage lasted six years before ending in 1993. While less tumultuous than his previous relationship, its end signaled that Soul was still on a journey to find lasting personal contentment.
## Finding Peace: A Final Love and Lasting LegacyDavid Soul's final chapter was one of profound change, relocation, and a love that provided him with the stability he had long sought. It was in the United Kingdom that he finally found a lasting partnership that would see him through the remainder of his life.
Helen Snell (2010-2024)
In the mid-1990s, David Soul moved to London, embracing a new life on the British stage and screen. It was there, while working on a play, that he met public relations professional Helen Snell. Their relationship blossomed slowly, built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared interests far from the glare of Hollywood. They were together for nearly a decade before marrying in 2010. This fifth and final marriage proved to be his most enduring and, by all accounts, his happiest. Snell provided a grounding force in his life, and together they built a quiet, fulfilling existence in London, a city Soul grew to love so much that he became a British citizen in 2004.
His relationship with Helen Snell represented the culmination of a long and often painful journey. It was a testament to his capacity for change and his eventual triumph over the personal demons that had plagued him for decades. David Soul's life was a study in contrasts: the adored public figure versus the flawed private man, the golden-haired idol of the 70s versus the remorseful advocate against violence. His tumultuous relationships were not just footnotes in a celebrity's biography; they were central to the narrative of a man who fought his way through darkness to find redemption and, finally, a lasting peace. His legacy is not only that of an iconic actor and musician but also of a human being who confronted his worst mistakes and dedicated his later years to becoming a better man.
