His best known role was that of Det . Dave Starsky in American TV series Starsky and Hutch . Paul Michael Glaser ( born March 25 , 1943 ) is an American actor and director , perhaps best known for his role as Detective David Starsky on the 1970s television series Starsky and Hutch ; he also appeared as Captain Jack Steeper on the 1999 to 2005 NBC series Third Watch .