Karl Schmid (television presenter)
Karl Schmid | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1980 Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
| Citizenship | Australian, American |
| Occupations | Television host, presenter, reporter, actor, HIV activist |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Organization | Plus Life Media |
| Known for | On the Red Carpet, Plus Life, HIV Unwrapped |
| Relatives |
|
Karl Schmid (born September 16, 1980) is an Australian-American television host, presenter, reporter, and HIV activist. He has worked in entertainment television in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, including as a correspondent for ABC's On the Red Carpet.[1][2][3][4]
Early life
Schmid was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and was raised outside Melbourne.[5][6] He began acting and appearing on television as a child.[7]
Career
Schmid's early television work included the children's drama Mel's Amazing Movies, in which he played Beaven.[8] He later became a regular contributor to the New Zealand children's television program What Now.[9]
After working in television in Australasia and the United Kingdom, including on entertainment programming, Schmid moved to Los Angeles in 2008.[10][11] In the United States he hosted and contributed to entertainment programs including TV Guide Network specials, and later became known as a correspondent for ABC's On the Red Carpet.[12][13]
HIV advocacy and +Life
In March 2018, Schmid publicly disclosed that he was HIV positive after sharing his story on social media.[14][15] In 2020, he wrote in The Advocate that being HIV positive "shouldn't be a news story," while arguing that stigma around HIV remained pervasive.[16]
In 2019, Schmid co-founded Plus Life Media, also known as +Life, with Brent Zacky and Mike Spierer.[17] The media brand focuses on HIV awareness, education, and stigma reduction through original programming and advocacy campaigns.[18][19]
Schmid has hosted +Life programming including +Talk, and has used the platform to interview medical professionals, advocates, and people living with HIV.[20][21] He has also appeared in campaigns tied to World AIDS Day and public education about HIV stigma.[22][23][24][25]
In 2025, Schmid hosted and executive produced HIV Unwrapped, a fashion-and-science initiative and Hulu special that paired designers with HIV researchers to explore the history, stigma, and lived experience of HIV through runway presentation and documentary storytelling.[26][27][28][29]
References
- ↑ "Karl Schmid - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Wade, Matthew (December 14, 2018). "'It's not 1984 anymore': HIV-positive reporter Karl Schmid on being a role model". Star Observer. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Karl Schmid - Beyond the Red Carpet". Karl Schmid. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "ABC Correspondent Karl Schmid Reveals He's HIV Positive, Thanks Fans for 'Overwhelming' Support". Entertainment Tonight. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Karl Schmid - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Wade, Matthew (December 14, 2018). "'It's not 1984 anymore': HIV-positive reporter Karl Schmid on being a role model". Star Observer. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Voyage LA Editorial (May 13, 2021). "Rising Stars: Meet Karl Schmid". Voyage LA. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Voyage LA Editorial (May 13, 2021). "Rising Stars: Meet Karl Schmid". Voyage LA. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Voyage LA Editorial (May 13, 2021). "Rising Stars: Meet Karl Schmid". Voyage LA. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Karl Schmid - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Voyage LA Editorial (May 13, 2021). "Rising Stars: Meet Karl Schmid". Voyage LA. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Karl Schmid - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Wade, Matthew (December 14, 2018). "'It's not 1984 anymore': HIV-positive reporter Karl Schmid on being a role model". Star Observer. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Karl Schmid discusses why he chose to tell the public that he is HIV positive". ABC7. March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "ABC Correspondent Karl Schmid Reveals He's HIV Positive, Thanks Fans for 'Overwhelming' Support". Entertainment Tonight. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Schmid, Karl (March 23, 2020). "Reporter Karl Schmid: Being HIV-Positive 'Shouldn't Be a News Story'". The Advocate. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Lafayette, Jon (July 1, 2020). "'Plus Life' Goes National on ABC's Localish Net". Next TV. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Nahmod, David-Elijah (May 4, 2023). "Out TV host Karl Schmid talks HIV stigma, sobriety, and storytelling". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "How +Life's Karl Schmid is Bringing HIV into the Conversation This World AIDS Day". GLAAD. November 30, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Nahmod, David-Elijah (May 4, 2023). "Out TV host Karl Schmid talks HIV stigma, sobriety, and storytelling". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Lafayette, Jon (July 1, 2020). "'Plus Life' Goes National on ABC's Localish Net". Next TV. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "This HIV Advocate Strips Down for an Important World AIDS Day Message". Yahoo Life. December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "HIV Advocate Strips Down for an Important World AIDS Day Message". Out. December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Karl Schmid Delivers a Special World AIDS Day Message — Nude". HIV Plus. December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Billy Porter on HIV Stigma and the Impact on the LGBTQ+ Community: Plus Life Episode 9". ABC7 New York. May 19, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Araujo, Aldo (September 15, 2025). "The "HIV Unwrapped" Show United Fashion, Science and Storytelling". CFDA. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Science Meets Style: +Life Unveils HIV Unwrapped at New York Fashion Week". GLAAD. September 18, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Sirico, Gina (November 29, 2025). "New Hulu Special Fuses Fashion and Science to Commemorate World AIDS Day". ABC7. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Mark Your Calendars! +Life's iconic HIV-themed Runway Show available to stream on Hulu starting Nov. 30". GLAAD. November 17, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2026.