Who was Michael Cole married to? Family life explored as last surviving Mod Squad star dies aged 84

Popular actor, Michael Cole, best known for playing Pete Cochran on the TV series, The Mod Squad, tragically passed away on December 10, 2024, at the age of 84. The news of Michael Cole’s death was confirmed by his representative Rachel Harris, who confirmed to USA Today:

“Michael Cole passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning. He was surrounded by loved ones after living a full and vibrant life. Beyond his career, Michael Cole will be remembered for his warm and generous spirit. Known among friends and family for his wit, charm, and boundless compassion, he brought joy to every room he entered.”

Furthermore, while the cause of Michael’s passing away was not revealed, however, Rachel stated that Cole breathed his last at the Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, California.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 3, 1940, Michael was married three times. The actor welcomed two kids from his first marriage, however, the couple soon parted ways. He married for the second time and had a daughter, but the marriage could not last either. Cole finally tied the knot with Shelly Funes in 1996 and was married to him till his last day.

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Michael Cole’s wife, Shelly Funes helped him overcome the habit of alcoholism: More details revealed

After two divorces, Cole finally got married to his wife, Shelly Funes in 1996. While it is not known how the couple met, Rolling Stone reported that Funes is a former ad sales representative. Furthermore, Michael has been vocal about his struggles with alcohol and often stated how Shelly encouraged him to enter rehab at Betty Ford Center to quit the addiction.

Crediting his wife for years of sobriety, he once spoke to Closer Weekly in 2016, and opened up:

“There were many times we didn’t have a place to live and we’d stay with aunts and uncles. I really started to get in a lot of trouble drinking. I was very young when I started, probably about 12 or 13. My locker at school was just full of old wine bottles. I was married at 16, became a father and quit school.”

He continued:

“My wife Shelley said, ‘You better go to the Betty Ford Center,’ And I wound up there within two days. I didn’t want to lose her — and she was right. My wife’s love made me realize that I had to recover. With love, every day is the best day.”

Furthermore, Michael Cole started his career in acting in 1966, with the TV show, Gunsmoke, he later appeared in several shows and films, including, The Last Child, Police Story, Wonder Woman, The Littlest Hobo, The Return of Mod Squad, Fantasy Island, Murder - She Wrote, ER, Mr. Books and even It. Furthermore, he was last seen in Grave Misconduct in 2008.

His 2018 memoir, I Played the White Guy was also a massive success amongst the masses, as Michael talked about his life, his highs and lows, and the journey to success in the book. While the news about Cole’s passing away continues to trend on social media, the family has yet to reveal more details about his death, funeral, and memorial services.