Wikipedia / Beau Starr
Wikipedia / Beau Starr
Beau William Starr (September 1, 1944 – April 24, 2026) was an American actor who starred in film and television. He is known for his film role as Sheriff Ben Meeker in the 1988 horror film Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers; he reprised his role in the 1989 sequel Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers.
Early life
Beau Starr was born in Queens, New York City, on September 1, 1944. His younger brother is actor Mike Starr. Before Starr became an actor he was a professional football player known as Bill Starr. Primarily a tight end, he played college football for the Hofstra Pride and was signed by the New York Jets, with whom he served on the taxi squad for three seasons. He later played in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Career
In 1980, Starr acted in the play The Set-Up at the American Theater of Actors.
Starr's well-known television role was in the 1990s Canadian television series Due South as Lieutenant Harding Welsh of the Chicago Police Department. He also starred in the 1980s television series Rituals, Bizarre and True Blue. He has starred in several made-for-television movies, and appeared in a number of productions based in Canada, including Due South, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and Doc as well as some advertisements.
His first feature film role was in the 1982 comedy film Hanky Panky with Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. He also appeared in Carl Reiner's 1987 comedy Summer School, Martin Scorsese's hit 1990 crime drama Goodfellas as Henry Hill's father, and in the 2005 drama Cinderella Man. Starr made many guest appearances on television series, including T.J. Hooker, The A-Team, Knight Rider, Hill Street Blues, V: The Series, Hunter, Wings, The 4400, A Nero Wolfe Mystery and NYPD Blue.
Death
Starr died at his home in Vancouver, Canada, on April 24, 2026, at the age of 81.
CFL statistics
Filmography
Hanky Panky (1982) as Cop Passenger
Shocktrauma (1982) as Gene Kowalski
Three's Company (1983) as Officer
The Lonely Guy (1984) as 2nd Cop
City Heat (1984) as Pitt Lookout
Love on the Run (1985) as Lieutenant Sturges
Fletch (1985) as Willy
Hollywood Vice Squad (1986) as Farber
The Check Is in the Mail... (1986) as Rocco
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) as Vito
Summer School (1987) as Mr. Gremp
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) as Sheriff Ben Meeker
Night Court (1988) as Sheldon
Relentless (1989) as Ike Taylor
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) as Sheriff Ben Meeker
Born on the Fourth of July (1989) as Man #2 – Arthur's Bar
Goodfellas (1990) as Henry's Father
The Perfect Weapon (1991) as Captain Carl Sanders
Dead Silence (1991) as Detective Barton
Joshua Tree (1993) as Detective Jack 'Rudy' Rudisill
The November Men (1993) as Chief Agent Granger
Bad Blood (1994) as Bo
Speed (1994) as Police Commissioner
Due South (1994–1999, TV Series) as Lieutenant Harding Welsh
Trial by Jury (1994) as Phillie
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) as Detective Jack Miller
Never Talk to Strangers (1995) as Grogan
Hoodlum (1997) as Jules Salke
Men (1997) as Tony, Wine Taster
The Corruptor (1999) as Captain Stan Klein
Prisoner of Love (1999) as Walt
Shadow Hours (2000) as Jeremiah Walker
Mercy (2000) as Lieutenant Fritch
The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2000) as 'Lips' Egan
The Cactus Kid (2000) as Police Captain
The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001) as FBI Special Agent Cage
A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001–2002, Before I Die / Disguise for Murder / Door to Death / The Next Witness) as Thomas 'Thumbs' Meeker / Malcolm Vedder / Lieutenant Noonan / Judge Corbett
Pretend You Don't See Her (2002) as Detective Ed Sloan
Men with Brooms (2002) as Scott Blendick
My Name Is Tanino (2002) as Omobono
Against the Ropes (2004) as Corcoran
Where the Truth Lies (2005) as Jack Scaglia
Cinderella Man (2005) as Sam
It's Me...Gerald (2005, TV Series) as Troy
Final Days of Planet Earth (2006, mini series) as Oliver
Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) as Old Timer
References
External links