Paul Michael Glaser

Paul Michael Glaser, born Paul Manfred Glaser on March 25, 1943, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, embarked on a career spanning over five decades as an actor, director, and writer. After graduating from Tulane University in 1966 with a degree in theater and English, and earning a master’s degree in fine arts from Boston University in 1967, Glaser began his acting journey. His early roles included appearances in television series such as “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” “The Waltons,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” and “Kojak.” He made his film debut as Perchik in the 1971 musical film “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Glaser achieved significant recognition for his role as Detective Dave Starsky in the popular 1970s television series “Starsky & Hutch,” from 1975 to 1979. During this period, he also ventured into directing, helming several episodes of the show. His directorial work expanded to include films such as “The Running Man” (1987), “The Cutting Edge” (1992), “The Air Up There” (1994), and “Kazaam” (1996). In television, he directed episodes for notable series including “Miami Vice,” “Judging Amy,” and “Las Vegas.” His acting career continued with roles in films like “Something’s Gotta Give” (2003) and a cameo in the 2004 “Starsky & Hutch” movie adaptation.

In recent years, Glaser has maintained an active presence in the entertainment industry. He appeared as Captain Jack Steeper on “Third Watch” from 2004 to 2005 and had recurring roles as Al in “Ray Donovan” during the 2010s, and Leo in “Grace and Frankie” in 2019. He also made guest appearances in “Criminal Minds” and “The Mentalist.” In 2018, Glaser held his first U.S. exhibition of his artwork, titled “Act III,” marking a new phase in his creative endeavors and demonstrating his diverse talents beyond acting and directing.