The on-screen other half to Soul’s Hutch, Glaser played Detective Dave Starsky in the original Southern California-set series. Brooklyn-born firecracker Starsky was a fan-favorite character, and Glaser followed up his four-season run on the show (which he also sometimes directed and wrote) with equally eclectic roles. Glaser starred in the John Huston thriller “Phobia,” the ’80s TV movie “Jealousy,” and the mockumentary “Live!” He also had a key role in Nancy Meyers’ much-loved 2003 ensemble film “Something’s Gotta Give,” playing the ex-husband of Diane Keaton’s character.
The vast majority of Glaser’s post-“Starsky” work, though, has been as a director. He helmed five films between 1989 and 1996, including the Stephen King adaptation “The Running Man” and the sporty rom-com “The Cutting Edge.” Glaser was even more prolific as a TV director, working on episodes of “Criminal Minds,” “Miami Vice,” “Judging Amy,” “Third Watch” (which he also acted in), and more. Glaser even earned an Emmy nomination for his “Miami Vice” direction in 1985. The actor-filmmaker hasn’t directed anything since 2008, and his last on-screen appearance came in 2019 when he popped up as Frankie’s hippie friend and lover Leo in “Grace and Frankie.”