Meet Paul Michael Glaser’s Son Who Looks Just Like Him and Survived Unimaginable Loss

He may carry his father’s famous features, but Jake Glaser’s life has been shaped by unimaginable loss, powerful activism, and a legacy built from heartbreak.

Paul Michael Glaser and Jake Glaser attend the Fifth Annual ‘Kids for Kids’ Celebrity Carnival to Benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation on April 13, 1997, at Industria Superstudio in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Jake, the only surviving child of Starsky & Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser and HIV/AIDS advocate Elizabeth Glaser, has transformed tragedy into purpose, emerging as a powerful global voice in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

With his father’s charisma and his mother’s tenacity, Jake’s journey is one of survival, healing, and impact — and many now look to him as a beacon of hope.

Stardom, Love, and a Family Changed Forever

Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul in a still from the television series, ‘Starsky and Hutch’ circa 1977 | Source: Getty Images

Paul Michael Glaser became a household name in the 1970s as Detective Starsky in the hit show Starsky & Hutch. The series was a global success, airing in dozens of countries and catapulting him into fame.

Behind the scenes, however, Paul’s personal life took a devastating turn.

He met Elizabeth in 1974, and they married in 1980. Their first child, Ariel, was born in 1981 — but during her birth, Elizabeth required a blood transfusion that unknowingly carried HIV.

Paul Michael Glaser and Elizabeth Glaser at the ABC Television Convention at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California, May 1976. | Source: Getty Images

The virus went undetected until 1986, when Ariel fell ill. Doctors then confirmed that Elizabeth and both children — Ariel and newborn Jake — were HIV positive.

Elizabeth Glaser and Susan DeLaurentis at the ‘Two-Stepping’ for the Cure’ Hoedown Benefit for amfAR on February 26, 1994, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Heartbroken, Elizabeth turned her grief into action. In 1988, she co-founded the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), dedicated to awareness, research, and treatment at a time when stigma around HIV was widespread.

Despite their efforts, Ariel died in 1988 at just 7 years old. Elizabeth continued to fight, but in 1994, she too passed away. Jake, then 10, was the only one left — still living with the virus.

Growing Up with Grief and Guilt

Jake’s early years were filled with confusion and emotional pain. “I resented my mom and sister,” he admitted in a 2021 interview, “and blamed myself for not saving them.”

Though he appeared in the 1996 film Kazaam, acting didn’t stick. Instead, his teen years were marked by rebellion — including secretly flushing his medication down the toilet.

Paul Michael Glaser and Jake Glaser attend the “Kazaam” New York City Premiere on June 26, 1996, at Cineplex Odeon Cinemas in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Unbeknownst to him at the time, a rare genetic mutation inherited from his father (CCR5) gave him unusual resistance to the virus’s damage. Still, his health eventually caught up with him.

At 16, his father sent him to a treatment center for teens, where Jake began to process his grief and understand the weight of his choices.

Jake Glaser during the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s An Evening at the Guggenheim at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City on March 11, 2004 | Source: Getty Images

“I realized how my actions were affecting the people who truly loved me,” he said.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

In his 20s, Jake took a job at EGPAF — first answering phones, then slowly becoming more involved. At 27, he discovered his health was no longer protected by CCR5. It was a wake-up call.

Now an EGPAF ambassador, Jake travels the world mentoring young people, raising awareness, and advocating for testing and treatment. He also works alongside his father, who remains an honorary board chairman.

Jake Glaser during the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Kicks Off TARGET A Time For Heroes 2005 at a Private Residence in Los Angeles, California, on March 9, 2005 | Source: Getty Images

“My parents taught me that if you want to change the world, you’ve got to have fun doing it,” he said. “Now I get to carry that forward with my dad.”

The foundation has since helped over 32 million women receive testing and care to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Today, over 1.8 million people rely on its services.

Paul Glaser: A Father, Survivor, and Storyteller

While Jake found his voice in advocacy, Paul found peace through spiritual growth and creative expression.

“I had to choose — be a victim, or grow,” Paul once said. He continues to feel deeply connected to Elizabeth and Ariel. “I talk to them sometimes. It’s more a feeling than words.”

After Elizabeth’s death, Paul remarried and had a daughter, Zoe, in 1997. That marriage ended in 2007.

Though acting roles have slowed, Paul embraced other forms of storytelling — writing a children’s book and exploring painting and digital art. “Whether it’s acting, directing, writing, or painting — it’s all storytelling,” he shared.

Love, Health, and a New Chapter

Jake now lives in Venice Beach with his girlfriend, Kerry Corridan. Their relationship started casually — she moved into the unit below his — and grew into something meaningful.

“She supported me and what I do,” Jake said. “That meant everything. My biggest fear was not being loved because of my HIV status.”

Thanks to modern medicine, Jake now maintains an undetectable viral load with just two pills a day.

With his health stable and love by his side, he’s beginning to dream of a future that once felt impossible. “Little Glasers running around — that would mean the world to my mom and dad,” he smiled.

Jake also works at a plant-based food company and enjoys surfing, which reminds him of his mom’s love for the ocean.

A Face That Carries a Legacy

Fans frequently comment on Jake’s resemblance to his father — and more importantly, his ability to inspire.

“You look just like your dad,” one Instagram follower wrote. Another said, “Your mom would be so proud of you. ❤️”

Jake speaks openly about his journey, using humor and honesty to break stigma. “Ask me anything,” he often tells crowds. “I’ve got a healthy sex life.” For him, vulnerability is strength.

Despite everything, he remains grateful. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said. “Everything happened for a reason.”

Jake Glaser is more than Paul Michael Glaser’s son. He’s a symbol of resilience, of turning pain into progress — and of hope for a world without AIDS.