Jack Starrett

Jack Starrett
Born	Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr. November 2, 1936(1936-11-02) Refugio, Texas
Died	March 27, 1989(1989-03-27) (aged 52) Sherman Oaks, California
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1961 - 1987

Jack Starrett (November 2, 1936 – March 27, 1989) was an American actor and film director.^[1] He is credited as Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr. in some of his films. Starrett is perhaps best known for his role as Gabby Johnson, a parody of Gabby Hayes, in the 1974 classic parody film Blazing Saddles and is also known for his role as the brutal deputy Galt in the 1982 action film First Blood. He also played the cruel foreman Swick in The River. Starrett was often typecast as a tough-talking police officer and played essentially the same character in a trio of biker films: The Born Losers (the film that introduced Billy Jack), Hells Angels on Wheels (both from 1967), and Angels from Hell (1968). He acted in another biker film, Hell's Bloody Devils (1970), and directed two more: Run, Angel, Run in 1969 and Nam's Angels (1970).

Life and career

Starrett was born Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr.^[2] He was raised in Refugio, Texas and worked in the oil fields before coming to Hollywood.^[3]

Starrett starred in the 1961 film Like Father Like Son as Coach Jennings, and later reprised the role in The Young Sinner in 1965 and Like Father Like Son in 1987. Thorough his career, Starrett directed feature films and episodes of television programs. In addition, he made guest appearances on TV shows including Hill Street Blues, Hunter, The A-Team, and Knight Rider (in which he made three guest appearances as different characters.)

Starrett died from renal failure in Sherman Oaks, California at the age of 52. At the time of his death he was married to Valerie Starrett. His daughter is Jennifer Starrett, who is also an actress.

Filmography

• Death Chase (1990)
• Hollywood Heartbreak (1990)
• Nightwish (1989)
• Like Father Like Son (1987)
• The River (1984)
• First Blood (1982)
• The Rose (1979)
• A Small Town in Texas (1976, director)
• Race with the Devil (1975, director)
• The Gravy Train (1974, director)
• Blazing Saddles (1974)
• Cleopatra Jones (1973, director)
• Nam's Angels/The Losers (1970 film), (director)
• The Gay Deceivers (1969)
• Run, Angel, Run (1969, director)
• Angels from Hell (1968)
• The Born Losers (1967)
• Hells Angels on Wheels (1967)
• The Girls from Thunder Strip (1966)
• The Young Sinner (1965)
• Like Father Like Son (1961)

References

1. ^ Staff report (March 29, 1989). Jack Starrett, 52; Adventure Film Actor, Director. Los Angeles Times
2. ^ According to the State of Texas. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997. Searchable at http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/txbirths
3. ^ (April 1, 1989). Jack Starrett, Actor/Director in films, TV. San Jose Mercury News

External links

• Jack Starrett at the Internet Movie Database
• Jack Starrett at Find A Grave

Persondata
Name	Starrett, Jack
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 2, 1936
Place of birth	Refugio, Texas
Date of death	March 27, 1989
Place of death	Sherman Oaks, California