Veteran actor Beau Starr, best known for his roles in Goodfellas and the Halloween franchise, has died at the age of 81.
Beau passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026 from natural causes, his brother, Mike Starr, confirmed. According to family statements, the actor died peacefully.
© InstagramThe news was also shared by fellow actor Christopher Serrone, who appeared alongside Beau in Goodfellas. In an emotional tribute, he wrote: "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.
"Beau enjoyed a rich a[nd] 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."
© InstagramTributes quickly poured in from fans, many reflecting on his memorable on-screen presence. "He was a great actor… your scene with him in Goodfellas is still one I will never forget," one wrote, while another added: "A great actor and a good man in person. Very sad news." A third penned: "He was a great actor & good man in person. Very sad to read this news. I am sorry for his family loss."
Born in New York in 1944, Beau's path to Hollywood was anything but conventional. Before stepping into acting, he pursued a career in professional football, signing with the New York Jets after playing college football at Hofstra University.
© InstagramHe later continued his sporting career in Canada, playing for both the Montreal Alouettes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
He transitioned to acting in the early 1980s, landing his first feature film role in Hanky Panky alongside Gene Wilder. From there, he built a steady career across film and television, with appearances in Summer School and Cinderella Man, among many others.
In the 1990s Canadian television series Due South he played Lieutenant Harding Welsh of the Chicago Police Department. He also starred in the 1980s television series Rituals, Bizarre and True Blue.
Known for his tough-guy roles and commanding screen presence, Beau remained a familiar face to audiences for decades. He is remembered not only for his work on screen, but for the full and varied life he led beyond it.
