Remember Paul Michael Glaser? You probably do. He was the cool, curly-haired detective David Starsky on Starsky & Hutch. That red Ford Gran Torino with the white stripe is burned into your brain. But what is the guy who drove it actually doing now?
He isn’t chasing criminals in a funky car anymore. That would be weird, and honestly, a little sad. Instead, Paul Michael Glaser is living a life that’s surprisingly creative and a little bit quirky. He’s swapped the police badge for paintbrushes and poetry.
Let’s start with the biggest surprise: he’s a serious artist. Not a "hey, I was famous, so I paint" hobbyist. He’s the real deal. Glaser creates large, abstract, and super colorful canvases that sell for thousands of dollars.
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His art is full of swirling shapes and vibrant splashes. It looks like a party on a canvas. He calls his style "visual storytelling," but it’s much more fun than that sounds.
From Badge to Brush
How did a TV cop become a painter? It happened slowly. Glaser always knew acting wasn’t his only gig. He studied theater and dance in college, but painting was his secret love.
After Starsky & Hutch ended, he needed a new outlet. He says the stillness of painting saved him. It’s a huge contrast to the loud, high-energy set of a ’70s cop show.
He now has a studio in his home. He works in total silence, sometimes for six hours straight. No disco music, no car chases. Just him and a wild pile of paint.
Where Is Starsky and Hutch's Paul Michael Glaser Today? Paul Michael
He Wrote a Book (And It’s a Doozy)
Glaser isn’t just a painter. He’s also an author. In 2012, he published a novel called Chrystallia and the Source of Light. Don’t let the title fool you—it’s not a kids’ book.
It’s a bizarre, fantastical story about a mystical kingdom. It’s full of themes like environmentalism and self-discovery. Reviews call it "ambitious" and "unusual," which is art-speak for "weird in the best way."
He also wrote a collection of poetry. Yes, poems. They are emotional, raw, and often about loss. It’s a deep dive into his personal world.
The Hutch Connection
You can’t talk about Glaser without mentioning his buddy David Soul. The two actors were famously close on set. They were the original "buddy cop" duo.
Today, they remain good friends. They don’t hang out every week, but they stay in touch. In interviews, Glaser always speaks about Soul with genuine warmth and respect.
‘Starsky & Hutch’ actor Paul Michael Glaser: Where is he now? | Fox News
Fun fact: Glaser hated the famous red car at first. He thought it was too flashy. Now, he owns a miniature replica of it. Life is funny that way.
A Touch of Hollywood (But Not Too Much)
Does he still act? Occasionally. He pops up in guest roles on shows like Law & Order and Alias. It’s a fun paycheck, but not his passion.
He directed a few episodes of TV in the 1990s. He even directed The Running Man, the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. That film is a cult classic, but Glaser calls it "a learning experience." That’s a polite way of saying it was a chaotic mess to make.
He turned down a cameo in the 2004 Starsky & Hutch movie. He said it felt like rehashing old glory. Instead, he spent that time in his studio. Respect the commitment.
The Real-Life Drama
Glaser’s life hasn’t been all paint and poetry. He faced a tragic loss. His wife, Elizabeth, died of AIDS in 1994. He also lost his daughter, Ariel, to the same disease.
‘Starsky & Hutch’ actor Paul Michael Glaser: Where is he now? | Fox News
He became a vocal advocate for AIDS research. He channeled his grief into his art and activist work. It’s a heavy part of his story, but it shows his resilience.
Today, he’s married to a woman named Tracy. They live a quiet, private life in California. He prefers gardening to red carpets.
What’s He Doing Right Now?
As of this year, Glaser is still painting like a madman. He recently released a new series of works called "The Color of Sound." He says each painting is inspired by a specific song.
He also loves to cook. He’s a self-proclaimed foodie who experiments with fusion cuisine. Picture him in an apron, making Thai tacos while listening to jazz.
He spends time with his grandchildren. He teaches them how to mix paint. He says they are "better artists" than he is. That’s what grandpas say.
Starsky & Hutch's Paul Michael Glaser: An Accomplished Artist
He still gets recognized in public. But people don’t scream "Starsky!" anymore. They just smile and say, "Hey, you’re that artist." He loves that.
Why This Matters (In a Fun Way)
Paul Michael Glaser is proof you can reinvent yourself. He didn’t cling to a faded TV star identity. He built a whole new life from scratch.
He’s a reminder that creativity never retires. You can ditch the red car and find a red canvas. You can trade a fast-paced set for a quiet studio.
So next time you see a Starsky & Hutch rerun, remember: that guy is now painting wild abstracts and writing weird novels. And he’s happier than ever.
Check out his art online. It’s a trip. You’ll see the same playful energy that made Starsky so charming—just on a canvas. No leopard-skin jacket required.