American film and television actor, who was a model for men’s physique magazines before breaking into acting. His first big acting break came when he landed a starring role in the ABC police drama “Felony Squad” (1966-1969), and for one season (1969–1970) as stuntman Davey Evans in “Bracken’s World.” He then co-starred with Rod Taylor in the series “Bearcats!” (1971). He played Lance Prentiss on “The Young and the Restless” (1981–1982).
All three of Cole’s marriages ended in divorce. Cole’s second wife was actress Jaclyn Smith; they were married from 1978 to 1981. Joe Cole, his only son from first wife Sally Bergeron, was shot dead in a 1991 robbery attempt at the age of 30; the crime remains unsolved.
After the death of his son, Cole turned against acting projects containing violence. He also continued to perform (as the “Narrator” in a production of “Blood Brothers” and the James Garner “King Marchan” role in the first national tour of the musical “Victor/Victoria”). Severe injuries suffered while performing in the latter show led to multiple surgeries, a three-year convalescence and a new direction.
Cole remarried and relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he returned to school and opened up his own real estate company with his third wife, Marjorie. They owned Celebrity Realty, Inc. The couple divorced in 2008.
Cole died in Fort Lauderdale on 15 November 2009, aged 69, from renal failure.
Link to Wikipedia biography