Beau Starr, the character actor who anchored the "Halloween" franchise as Sheriff Ben Meeker across two films, died at 81 from natural causes at his home in Vancouver. His younger brother Mike confirmed the death.
Starr built a steady career in genre work and television, the kind of reliable presence that made horror sequels feel grounded. Sheriff Meeker became his signature role, appearing in "Halloween 4" (1988) and "Halloween 5" (1989) as the lawman trying to contain the Michael Myers chaos spreading through his town. The role gave him a genuine foothold in a franchise that has endured for decades, even as the "Halloween" series itself underwent countless reboots and reimaginings.
Beyond the slasher films, Starr logged work across television shows and movies throughout his career. He wasn't a name that commanded marquees, but he was exactly the kind of actor who made things work. Competent. Present. Forgettable only until you needed him.
The horror community loses one of its working class professionals, someone who showed up and did the job during an era when genre films still needed actors who could deliver exposition without winking at the camera.