Goodfellas and Halloween Star Beau Starr Dead at 81

Actor Beau Starr, recognized for his contributions to the Halloween horror franchise and the crime drama Goodfellas, has died at the age of 81.

The news of Starr’s passing was reported by several outlets, including TMZ, Deadline, and The Sun, on May 2, 2026. Tributes for the actor have begun to emerge from the entertainment community, including messages from his brother, who is also an actor.

Career in Horror and Crime Cinema

Starr is perhaps best known to horror fans for his role as Sheriff Ben Meeker in the 1988 film Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. He later reprised this role in the 1989 sequel, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers.

Beyond the horror genre, Starr appeared in the acclaimed 1990 crime film Goodfellas. His filmography also includes appearances in Prince of the City (1981), Hanky Panky (1982), and City Heat (1984).

Background and Early Life

Born in Queens, New York, in 1944, Starr’s path to acting was preceded by a career in athletics. Before transitioning to the screen, he was a professional football player known as Bill Starr, primarily playing as a tight end after attending Hofstra University.

His entry into television began in 1980 with an appearance on the Canadian sketch comedy show Bizarre before he eventually relocated to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in the American film and television industry.

Starr was part of a family with ties to the industry; his brother, Mike Starr, was also a professional actor.