Hollywood has lost a face generations of moviegoers never forgot.

At 81, the actor who brought Henry Hill’s father to life in Goodfellas and stood against terror as Sheriff Ben Meeker has died peacefully, his younger brother confirming the heartbreaking news. Before those unforgettable screen appearances came an entirely different career, and a journey fans are remembering with grat…

Beau Starr, the veteran actor whose supporting performances left a lasting impression, has passed away peacefully at 81. His death was confirmed by his younger brother, fellow actor Mike Starr.

Before beginning his acting career in the 1980s, Beau played professional football, taking an unconventional route to the screen. He went on to become a recognizable presence in films that audiences would revisit for decades, bringing a grounded authority to characters who needed little introduction.

Among his best-known roles were Henry Hill’s father in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and Sheriff Ben Meeker in Halloween 4 and Halloween 5. Those appearances connected him with two very different audiences: crime-drama devotees and horror fans.

His passing invites a fresh appreciation of the performers who make a film’s world feel complete without occupying its center. For viewers returning to those familiar movies, Starr’s presence remains part of what makes them memorable.