Beloved Hollywood actor Beau Starr, best known for his roles in the Halloween franchise and Goodfellas, has died at the age of 81.
Starr reportedly died of natural causes on Friday, April 24, passing away peacefully in Vancouver, Canada, according to reports confirmed by his brother, Mike Starr.
Mike shared his heartbreak over the loss, saying Beau was “loved by many”. He also revealed how important his older brother had been in his life, explaining that Beau and their other brothers helped raise him alongside their parents.
Tributes quickly followed from those who knew and worked with him, including Goodfellas co-star Christopher Serrone, who honoured Starr’s life and career in an emotional message.
“It is with a heavy heart I’m here to inform everyone of the very sad passing of Beau Starr. [Mike Starr] asked me to make the announcement,” 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.”
Fans also shared their sadness online, remembering the performances that made Starr such a familiar face on screen.
“He was a great actor, your scene with him in Goodfellas is still a scene I will never forget, he was also good in Halloween 4-5, May he rest in peace,” one fan wrote.
“He was a great actor & good man in person. Very sad to read this news. I am sorry for his family loss,” another wrote.
Before his acting career took off, Starr had a very different path, beginning as a professional football player. He spent several years on the New York Jets practice squad in the late 1960s and later played two seasons in the Canadian Football League.
He eventually moved into entertainment, landing an early break on Bizarre, the sketch comedy show led by Bob Einstein and featuring performers including Howie Mandel.
His first film role came in 1982’s Hanky Panky, starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. He later became widely recognised as Sheriff Ben Meeker in Halloween IV and Halloween V.
Movie fans also remember him as Henry Hill’s father in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. On television, he became a familiar presence through his role in 66 episodes of Due South between 1994 and 1999.
Across a lengthy career, Starr built an impressive list of credits that included Born on the Fourth of July, Speed, Angels in the Infield, The Cactus Kid and Cinderella Man, along with television appearances in Wings, T.J. Hooker and Doc.
His former manager, Timothy Beal, said Starr always valued his supporters, especially fans of the Halloween films. Beal also said he had only positive experiences with the late actor and wished they had worked together more.
