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, 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 Year Team Receiving G Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1969 Montreal Alouettes 14 51 686 13.5 66 1 1970 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 4 7 134 19.1 38 1Total 20 58 820 14.1 66 2

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