Actor Beau Starr, best known for his role in the Halloween franchise, has died.
Born in Queens, New York, on September 1 1944, Starr pursued high school football as his first love.
Pursuing a professional sports career throughout his twenties, Starr was signed to the New York Jets under the name Bill Starr. Later he entered the Canadian Football League, serving as part of both the Montreal Alouettes, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Following the end of his professional football career in the early seventies, Starr pivoted to acting. His first break would come in 1980, when he’d act in the play The Set-Up with The American Theatre of Actors.
Throughout the early eighties, Starr would begin a career long trend of playing law enforcement officials and legal professionals. During this period, he would be seen in the likes of Sidney Poutier’s Hanky Panky, Blake Edwards’ City Heat, and Carl Reiner’s Summer School.
In 1988 Starr received the role for which he arguably remains best known. Starr was selected to portray Sheriff Ben Meeker in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, a sequel that topped the box-office and was a welcome return to form.
The following year, Starr would reprise the role for Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers. However, this time production was fraught, and Starr’s role considerably reduced due to multiple edits.
Starr would continue a successful career as a character actor, appearing in the likes of Born on the Fourth of July, Goodfellas, Speed, and The Day Reagan was Shot.
Beginning in 1994, Starr became a regular on the Canadian police procedural comedy Due South. The role of Lt. Harding Welsh would be one Starr would play for five years, and next to Halloween remains what Starr is best known for.
The actor continued his character work in film and television until his retirement from the business in 2007. Altogether, Starr amassed over 130 film and television credits.
Beau Starr passed away on April 24th 2026, however his death remained unannounced until May 2nd.
Starr is not reported to have married nor had any children. At the time of his death, he resided in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is survived by his brother, fellow actor Mike Starr.
Rest in peace, Beau.
