Starsky and Hutch Cast: Where Are They Now

Few TV duos from the 1970s still spark the affection that Starsky and Hutch does, with 93 episodes from 1975 to 1979 cementing it as a cultural touchstone. But the four main actors—Paul Michael Glaser, David Soul, Antonio Fargas, and Bernie Hamilton—each took different paths after the show, from chart-topping music to quiet retirements, including the recent loss of David Soul.

Years aired: 1975–1979 ·
Number of seasons: 4 ·
Main cast members: 4 ·
Episodes: 93 ·
Lead actors: Paul Michael Glaser, David Soul

Six key facts about the series and its principal cast, one pattern: the show launched four actors into lasting public recognition, but only two remained in the Hollywood spotlight.

Who starred in Starsky and Hutch in the 1970s?

Paul Michael Glaser as Detective Dave Starsky

• Glaser, born in 1943, played the street-smart, impulsive half of the detective duo (People magazine).
• He reportedly directed five episodes of the series during its original run (IMDb).
• After the show, Glaser continued acting and moved into directing for television series including Vice, Criminal Minds, The Closer, The Mentalist, and Numb3rs (MEAWW).

David Soul as Detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson

• Soul, born in 1943, played the thoughtful, more cautious half of the duo (People magazine).
• He pursued a successful music career during and after the show, scoring a number one hit in 1977 with “Don’t Give Up on Us” according to Billboard (MEAWW).
• Soul also worked extensively in theater in the United Kingdom (People magazine).

Antonio Fargas as Huggy Bear

• Fargas, born in 1946, played the streetwise informant Huggy Bear, a fan-favorite character (MEAWW).
• He continued acting steadily after the series, with notable roles in Everybody Hates Chris and a 2023 appearance in One Year Off (MEAWW).

Bernie Hamilton as Captain Harold Dobey

• Hamilton, born in 1928, played the no-nonsense captain who supervised Starsky and Hutch (People magazine).
• After the series ended, he largely stepped away from acting and focused on music and nightlife ventures (People magazine).
• Hamilton died on December 30, 2008, at age 80 after cardiac arrest (People magazine).

What happened to the actors of Starsky and Hutch?

Where are they now: Paul Michael Glaser

• Glaser transitioned into directing full-time after the show, helming episodes of multiple crime procedurals through the 2000s (MEAWW).
• He made a cameo appearance in the 2004 Starsky and Hutch film remake, according to reports (MEAWW).
• In later years, Glaser moved into fine arts, showcasing his artwork publicly, and founded Dudley Rd., a home-goods brand (The Sun).
• He lost his wife Elizabeth to AIDS in 1994, a personal tragedy that led him to become an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, according to reports (MEAWW).

Where are they now: David Soul

• After Starsky and Hutch, Soul released several albums and his single “Don’t Give Up on Us” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977 (MEAWW).
• He moved to the United Kingdom and built a theater career, appearing in West End productions and British television (People magazine).
• Soul died on January 4, 2024, at age 80 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (People magazine).
• He was survived by his wife Helen Snell, who issued a public statement following his death (MEAWW).

Where are they now: Antonio Fargas

• Fargas remained the most consistently working actor of the four, with television and film roles spanning five decades (MEAWW).
• He is still alive as of 2024 and continues to take on acting projects (MEAWW).

Where are they now: Bernie Hamilton

• After the series ended, Hamilton largely retired from acting and invested in a restaurant and nightlife business (People magazine).
• He died on December 30, 2008, at age 80 from cardiac arrest (People magazine).

Were Starsky and Hutch friends in real life?

Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul’s off-screen relationship

• Multiple sources confirm that Glaser and Soul were genuinely close friends, not just co-workers who tolerated each other on set (People magazine).
• In a 2016 interview, Soul described Glaser as “a dear friend” and spoke warmly about their decades-long bond (People magazine).
• There were unconfirmed rumors of friction during the early seasons, but neither actor ever substantiated those claims publicly.

Quotes from interviews about their friendship

• Following Soul’s death, Glaser released a statement mourning his co-star as “my brother” and reflecting on nearly 50 years of friendship (People magazine).
• Their relationship extended beyond the set: they remained in contact for decades after the show ended, attending events and supporting each other’s careers.

What happened to David Soul?

David Soul’s death at age 80

• David Soul died on January 4, 2024, at age 80 (People magazine).
• His wife Helen Snell confirmed the news and asked for privacy during the family’s grieving period (MEAWW).

Cause of death and illness

• The cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a progressive lung condition (People magazine).
• Soul had been living with COPD for several years before his death.

David Soul’s marriages and family

• Soul was married five times, most recently to Helen Snell, who survived him (MEAWW).
• He had five children from his various marriages.
• Soul’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at approximately $1.5 million, according to multiple celebrity wealth trackers.

The pattern: Soul’s death marked the end of an era for the show’s duo, leaving Glaser as the last surviving lead.

What did Paul Michael Glaser say about David Soul’s death?

Paul Michael Glaser’s public statement

• On January 5, 2024, the day after Soul’s death was announced, Glaser issued a public statement through media outlets (People magazine).
• He referred to Soul as “my brother” and described their nearly 50-year friendship as one of the great blessings of his life.
• The statement’s tone was deeply mournful but also celebratory of Soul’s life and career.

Quotes from interviews after Soul’s death

• Glaser’s statement emphasized that their bond extended far beyond the television show, noting that they had remained close through the decades.
• He did not give additional interviews in the immediate aftermath, choosing to let the written statement serve as his tribute.

The implication: Glaser’s public mourning underscored the authenticity of their off-screen friendship.

Which Starsky and Hutch star died and what was their illness?

David Soul’s health battle

• David Soul was the most recent star from the original cast to die, passing on January 4, 2024 (People magazine).
• He had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which ultimately caused his death (People magazine).

Bernie Hamilton’s death in 2008

• Bernie Hamilton died on December 30, 2008, at age 80 from cardiac arrest (People magazine).
• He had largely retired from public life before his death, focusing on his business ventures.

The catch: Both deaths were due to underlying health conditions, but Soul’s passing drew more attention due to his continued public presence.

The pattern across five decades is clear: the bond between Glaser and Soul was the emotional core of the show, and it endured long after the Gran Torino was parked for good. For fans of the series, the real legacy of Starsky and Hutch may not be the car chases or the catchy theme song, but the genuine friendship between its two leads that lasted until the very end. For anyone curious about where the cast ended up, the answer is a mix of continued artistry, quiet retirement, and the kind of off-screen connection that made the on-screen chemistry feel so real.

Frequently asked questions

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