Beau Starr, 'Halloween' and 'Goodfellas' Actor, Dies at 81

Key facts

• Beau Starr died April 24 in Vancouver of natural causes, his brother Mike confirmed.
• He played Sheriff Ben Meeker in Halloween 4 (1988) and Halloween 5 (1989).
• Starr portrayed the father of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas.
• Before acting, he played professional football for the New York Jets, Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
• His first television credit was in 1979 on the series Bizarre.
• Starr starred in the NBC crime drama True Blue for its entire 12-episode run.
• Christopher Serrone, who played young Henry Hill in Goodfellas, announced Starr's death on Instagram.

A Life Across Gridiron and Screen

Beau Starr, the actor known for his roles in the Halloween franchise and Goodfellas, has died at 81. His brother, actor Mike Starr, told TMZ that Beau died of natural causes on April 24 in Vancouver. Before entering the entertainment industry, Starr played professional football. He was a player for the New York Jets, the Montreal Alouettes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, moving from the NFL to the Canadian Football League. Starr's transition to acting began in the late 1970s. He earned his first television credit in 1979 on the Canadian sketch comedy series Bizarre, and in 1980 he starred in a play at the American Theater of Actors.

From TV Guest Spots to Cult Film Fame

Throughout the 1980s, Starr built a steady career with guest roles on popular television shows. He appeared in a 1983 episode of Three's Company, multiple episodes of The A-Team (1983-85) and The Fall Guy (1983-86), and a 1988 episode of Highway to Heaven. He also appeared in feature films such as The Lonely Guy (1984) starring Steve Martin, and the comedy Fletch (1985) with Chevy Chase. His filmography expanded to include Speed (1994), Bad Blood, and the TV series NYPD Blue, Leap Years, Doc, Final Days on Planet Earth and Psych. Starr landed a starring role in the NBC crime drama True Blue, which ran for 12 episodes in the late 1980s. He also appeared in the series 2000 Malibu Road.

Joining the Halloween Universe

Starr entered the Halloween franchise in 1988 with Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, playing Sheriff Ben Meeker. He reprised the role the following year in Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, cementing his place in the horror series. The character of Sheriff Meeker was a key figure in the two films, which followed the continued rampage of Michael Myers in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. Starr's portrayal added gravitas to the law-enforcement role amid the franchise's supernatural horror.

A Memorable Role in 'Goodfellas'

In 1990, Starr played the father of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's crime epic Goodfellas. The film, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, starred Ray Liotta as the adult Henry Hill. Christopher Serrone, who portrayed the younger version of Henry Hill in the film, announced Starr's death on Instagram. "It is with a heavy heart I'm here to inform everyone of the very sad passing of Beau Starr," Serrone wrote. "Beau enjoyed a rich and meaningful life. He was a son, brother, father, grandfather, actor and NFL/CFL player. Please take a moment to help me remember a great guy. RIP." Starr's role, though brief, connected him to one of the most celebrated films of the 1990s. His performance as the father of the film's protagonist added depth to the story of Henry Hill's rise and fall in the mob.

A Legacy of Versatility

Starr's career spanned more than 30 years, with credits in over 30 films and television shows. He worked across genres, from horror and comedy to crime drama and science fiction. His brother Mike Starr is also a well-known character actor, with roles in films such as Goodfellas (where he played a different character), Dumb and Dumber, and The Bodyguard. The Starr brothers occasionally worked in the same projects, including Goodfellas. Starr's death marks the loss of a versatile performer who transitioned from professional sports to acting, leaving behind a body of work that includes cult classics and mainstream hits.

Remembering a 'Great Guy'

Tributes have begun to surface from colleagues and fans. Serrone's Instagram post highlighted Starr's character both on and off screen, describing him as a "great guy." Starr is survived by his brother Mike, as well as his children and grandchildren. Details of a memorial service have not been announced. His contributions to film and television, particularly in the Halloween series and Goodfellas, ensure that his work will continue to be seen by audiences for years to come.

The bottom line

• Beau Starr, 81, died of natural causes in Vancouver on April 24.
• He played Sheriff Ben Meeker in Halloween 4 and Halloween 5.
• Starr portrayed the father of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas.
• Before acting, he was a professional football player for the New York Jets, Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
• His television credits include Three's Company, The A-Team, The Fall Guy, and the lead role in NBC's True Blue.
• Christopher Serrone, his Goodfellas co-star, announced Starr's death and called him a 'great guy.'