Paul M. Glaser Biography Quotes 12 Report mistakes

Early Life
Paul Michael Glaser was born on March 25, 1943, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and grew up in the Boston area. Drawn early to storytelling and performance, he pursued theater and literature, training seriously for a life in the arts. Stage work and classical training shaped his sense of character and narrative, and those foundations would anchor a career that moved fluidly among acting, directing, and writing.

Breakthrough on Stage and Screen
Glaser earned his first major screen attention as Perchik, the idealistic student in Norman Jewison's admired film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof (1971). Acting opposite Topol and the ensemble that brought the beloved musical to the screen, Glaser conveyed a blend of intelligence and vulnerability that would become a hallmark of his most recognized roles. The part established him in Hollywood and led to steady television and film work.

Starsky & Hutch
His defining role arrived with ABC's crime drama Starsky & Hutch (1975-1979), created by William Blinn and produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. As Detective David Starsky, Glaser partnered with David Soul's Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson. Their on-screen chemistry, the series' kinetic pacing, and the cultural iconography of the red-and-white Ford Gran Torino made the show one of the era's most recognizable dramas. The ensemble included Antonio Fargas as the charismatic informant Huggy Bear and Bernie Hamilton as Captain Harold Dobey. Glaser was not only central in front of the camera; he also directed episodes, an experience that developed his visual sense and leadership on set. The enduring popularity of the series led to affectionate tributes decades later, including a cameo appearance by Glaser and David Soul in the 2004 film adaptation directed by Todd Phillips and led by Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.

Expansion Into Directing
While still regarded as a television star, Glaser steadily built a second career behind the camera. He directed the feature Band of the Hand (1986) and then delivered the sci-fi action film The Running Man (1987), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and drawing from a novel written under Stephen King's pseudonym Richard Bachman. He showed range by moving into character-centered sports and romance with The Cutting Edge (1992), a film that has enjoyed long afterlife on television and video, led by D.B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly. He continued in mainstream studio work with The Air Up There (1994), starring Kevin Bacon, and Kazaam (1996), starring Shaquille O'Neal. Across these projects, Glaser applied a performer's intuition to directing, grounding genre material in relationships and rhythm.

Personal Life and Advocacy
In 1980 Glaser married Elizabeth Glaser, who would become a prominent advocate for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The couple's family story profoundly shaped his life. Elizabeth acquired HIV from a blood transfusion in 1981 while giving birth to their daughter Ariel. Unaware of the infection at the time, she later transmitted the virus to Ariel through breastfeeding; their son Jake was born HIV-positive as well. Ariel died in childhood in 1988, a loss that galvanized Elizabeth's determination to change the course of pediatric AIDS. She co-founded what became the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation in 1988, speaking publicly, testifying, and organizing to accelerate research and access to treatment for women and children. Paul supported her work, using his platform to raise awareness and resources. After Elizabeth's death in 1994, he remained closely involved with the foundation and continued to advocate for pediatric HIV/AIDS research and care. Jake Glaser later became an advocate in his own right, bearing witness to the progress made since the early years of the epidemic. In time, Paul remarried, to producer Tracy Barone, and they had a daughter, Zoe; although the marriage ended, family has remained central to his private life and public commitments.

Later Work and Legacy
Glaser has continued to act occasionally, direct for film and television, and write. He also authored a children's novel, extending his storytelling into new forms. To audiences, he is inseparable from Starsky, the streetwise detective with a big heart; to many within the industry, he is a versatile craftsman who successfully bridged acting and directing at a time when such transitions were less common. To families affected by HIV/AIDS, he is a visible ally who helped transform personal tragedy into sustained public action, working alongside Elizabeth Glaser and, later, with Jake Glaser and the foundation's community of clinicians and advocates.

The arc of Paul Michael Glaser's life reflects an unusual blend of popular culture impact and activist purpose. His collaborations with David Soul, Antonio Fargas, Bernie Hamilton, and producers like Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg shaped a television era. His films with performers such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Bacon, Moira Kelly, D.B. Sweeney, Shaquille O'Neal, and the later salute from Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson mark a long presence in mainstream entertainment. Beyond credits, his enduring legacy lies in combining a working artist's discipline with a parent's resolve, helping to focus national attention on the needs of children and families living with HIV/AIDS while building a body of work that continues to be discovered by new generations.

Our collection contains 12 quotes who is written by Paul, under the main topics: Witty One-Liners - Writing - Live in the Moment - Movie - Police & Firefighter.