PAUL MICHAEL GLASER Live FOR TODAY

The Starsky & Hutch alum talks about his life, his art and what he's learned

- Susan Hornik

Paul Michael Glaser admits he didn’t expect anyone to ever see Starsky & Hutch, a TV pilot about two streetwise undercover cops. “I thought, ‘Well, this is never going to make it as a series, and I could use some new film on myself,’” the actor-director tells Closer. “Then I auditioned for it and got it. And then it became this big hit. It happened pretty fast.” The show ran for four seasons and made Paul a household name.

Since then, he has spent more time behind the camera as a writer and director, although he’s occasionally returned to acting, too. Paul, 80, has also begun a third chapter of his creative life as a digital artist and painter. “The one thing that ties it all together — the acting, directing, writing, painting — it’s storytelling,” he says. “I love doing a painting that is evocative, that raises a question that can become a conversation piece and registers emotionally with the viewer.” Paul also remains an honorary board member of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which was founded by his late wife.

What made you want to be an actor?

I have two older sisters — we were very close as kids. My one sister wanted to be an actress in the worst way, and I think that’s where I picked it up from.

What do you consider your big break?

It was probably Fiddler on the Roof. We spent five months making that movie in Yugoslavia and in London. I didn’t understand anything about moviemaking at the time. It was a real eye-opener for me. You spend a whole lot of time waiting around, and then all of a sudden, you are going zero to 60.