---
name: "Martin Starr"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/martin-starr"
fi1m_id: "martin-starr"
imdb_id: "nm0771414"
tmdb_id: 41089
wikidata_id: "Q716343"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "30 July 1982"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-09-24T04:31:45.750229+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Martin Starr

## Identity

Martin Starr

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/martin-starr
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** martin-starr
- **IMDb ID:** nm0771414
- **TMDB ID:** 41089
- **Wikidata ID:** Q716343
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Starr, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q716343, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0771414/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/41089

Actor. Born 30 July 1982 in Santa Monica, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 30 July 1982, Santa Monica, California, USA
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** Martin Schienle, 马丁·斯塔尔
- **Frequently works with:** [Bryan Gordon](https://film.one/person/bryan-gordon.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 85 (2), 2000s 74 (3), 2010s 76 (4), 2020s 74 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 73 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Action 4, Adventure 4, Science Fiction 4, Animation 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,371m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Starr, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q716343, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0771414/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/41089

## Streaming the US now

- **Paramount+:** [*Freaks and Geeks*](https://film.one/tv/freaks-and-geeks.md) (88)
- **HBO Max:** [*Silicon Valley*](https://film.one/tv/silicon-valley.md) (82)
- **Apple TV:** [*Party Down*](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) (82)
- **Disney+:** [*Spider-Man: Far From Home*](https://film.one/film/spider-man-far-from-home.md) (67)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Martin Starr

> Martin Starr plays the man at the table who has decided everyone else is an idiot, and says so as slowly as possible. It is one note, and in *Freaks and Geeks* and *Silicon Valley* he has played it as well as anyone.

Watch what Martin Starr does while someone else is talking. Nothing. He does not nod, he does not shift in his chair, he does not prepare a face. When his line comes it comes flat and a fraction late, as if he has weighed up whether the other person deserved a reply and decided, on balance, no. In *Silicon Valley* (2014) he and Kumail Nanjiani's Dinesh sit two feet apart for six years and despise each other, and Starr's half of the feud is the one that never raises its voice.

He was 16 when he was cast as Bill Haverchuck in *Freaks and Geeks* (1999), the allergic latchkey boy among the geeks. The series lasted one season. What followed was the thin stretch that follows most young actors off cancelled shows, and it nearly finished him: the parts dried up, he fired his agent and thought about quitting. Judd Apatow, who had produced *Freaks and Geeks*, brought him back with *Knocked Up* (2007). *Party Down* (2009) gave him Roman DeBeers, a caterer who thinks of himself as a science fiction writer, and *Silicon Valley* gave him six seasons as Gilfoyle, the systems architect and Satanist who holds everyone in the house in open contempt.

The two roles we rate most sit at either end of that story, and the same stillness does different work in each. Gilfoyle's flatness is a weapon; Bill's is a wound. We were caught off guard by how much Bill got to us: Starr plays a boy who comes home to an empty house and treats it as ordinary, and the deadpan that makes his adult characters funny makes the child quietly sad. What we noticed in *Freaks and Geeks* was that the geeks did not all share the same comic timing, and Starr's was the slowest, which is why Bill reads as a person and not a bit.

The criticism is obvious and he has heard it. He plays the surly outsider, the blunt one, the nerd who has decided everyone else is stupid, and he has played him since 1999. The teacher in *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017) and its sequels, and Bodhi in *Tulsa King* (2022), opposite Sylvester Stallone, are variations rather than departures. It has not worn thin, because he does so little that there is nothing to tire of. But the part has never asked him to be wrong, or frightened, or fond of anyone, and we suspect he could manage all three. Someone should write it and find out.

## Biography

Martin Starr is an American actor. Born Martin James Pflieger Schienle on 30 July 1982 in Santa Monica, California, he is also credited as Martin Schienle.

His breakthrough role was as Bill Haverchuck in the series *Freaks and Geeks* (1999–2000). Subsequent television work includes Roman DeBeers in *Party Down* (2009–2010, 2023), Bertram Gilfoyle in *Silicon Valley* (2014–2019) and Lawrence 'Bodhi' Geigerman in *Tulsa King* (2022). Film roles include appearances in *Knocked Up* (2007), *Adventureland* (2009), *The Incredible Hulk* (2008) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe films *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017), *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019) and *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), in which he played Roger Harrington.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), Fi1m 74, as Mr. Harrington — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-no-way-home.md)
- *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019), Fi1m 67, as Mr. Harrington — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-far-from-home.md)
- *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Mr. Harrington — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-homecoming.md)
- *Silicon Valley* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Bertram Gilfoyle — [page](https://film.one/tv/silicon-valley.md)
- *New Girl* (2011), Fi1m 80, as Dirk — [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *Party Down* (2009), Fi1m 82, as Roman DeBeers — [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md)
- *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), Fi1m 58, as Computer Nerd — [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md)
- *Superbad* (2007), Fi1m 82, as James Masselin — [page](https://film.one/film/superbad.md)
- *Freaks and Geeks* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Bill Haverchuck — [page](https://film.one/tv/freaks-and-geeks.md)
- *King of the Hill* (1997), Fi1m 82, as Andrew / Tommy (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)

## Complete filmography (99)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Hand That Rocks the Cradle* (2025), as Stewart
- *Paradise Records* (2025), as Mike Hawk
- *Out for Delivery* (2025), as Mark
- *Lousy Carter* (2024), as Kaminsky
- *There's Something in the Barn* (2023), as Bill Nordheim · Executive Producer
- *Vivant* (2023), series, as Sam
- *Tulsa King* (2022), series, as Lawrence 'Bodhi' Geigerman
- *Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities* (2022), series, as Keith Chapman
- *Samaritan* (2022), as Albert Casler
- *Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head* (2022), series, as Man (voice)
- *Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe* (2022), as Corrections Officer / Ball-kicking Biker (voice)
- *Ursula* (2022), as Stuart
- *Slugfest* (2021), series, as Frank Brunner
- *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), as Mr. Harrington — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-no-way-home.md)
- *Milford* (2021), as Travis
- *Football* (2021), Narrator, Writer
- *The War of the Worlds 2021* (2021), Actor
- *Honey Boy* (2019), as Alec
- *Anxiety's Wilma* (2019), as Anxiety
- *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019), as Mr. Harrington — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-far-from-home.md)
- *The Toll Road* (2019), as Stewart
- *Tacoma FD* (2019), series, as Tothar
- *Frances Ferguson* (2019), as Mel
- *Silver Lake* (2018), as Nathan
- *The Escape of Prisoner 614* (2018), as Jim Doyle
- *Future Man* (2017), series, as Lyle Karofsky
- *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017), as Mr. Harrington — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-homecoming.md)
- *Grow House* (2017), as Conspiracy Chris
- *YOYO* (2017), as Francis
- *Infinity Baby* (2017), as Malcolm
- *Lemon* (2017), as Adam
- *Bitch* (2017), as Todd
- *Operator* (2016), as Joe Larsen
- *Reunited* (2015), as Dave
- *Life in Pieces* (2015), series, as Oscar
- *Intruders* (2015), as Perry Cuttner
- *I'll See You in My Dreams* (2015), as Lloyd
- *Playing It Cool* (2014), as Lyle
- *Amira & Sam* (2014), as Sam
- *Silicon Valley* (2014), series, as Bertram Gilfoyle — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/silicon-valley.md)
- *Leonard in Slow Motion* (2014), as Leonard
- *Veronica Mars* (2014), as Stu 'Cobb' Cobbler
- *Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead* (2014), as Daniel
- *Seasick Sailor* (2013), as Bookbinder
- *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, as Andre
- *The Apocalypse* (2013), as Kyle
- *The Lifeguard* (2013), as Todd
- *The Sidekick* (2013), as Blood Diamond
- *This Is the End* (2013), as Martin Starr
- *Deep Dark Canyon* (2013), as Lloyd Cavanaugh
- *Save the Date* (2012), as Andrew
- *The NTSF: SD: SUV: HISS Infomercial* (2012), as Sam Stern
- *Burning Love* (2012), series, as Leo
- *The Aquabats! Super Show!* (2012), series, Actor
- *6 Month Rule* (2011), as Alan
- *New Girl* (2011), series, as Dirk — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *A Good Old Fashioned Orgy* (2011), as Doug Duquez
- *NTSF:SD:SUV::* (2011), series, as Sam Stern
- *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, as Wendell Singletary
- *Fight for Your Right Revisited* (2011), as Paddy Wagon Driver
- *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Ironborn #2 — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md)
- *Mad Love* (2011), series, as Clyde
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Adam "Toast" Charles — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Infomercials* (2009), series, as Sam Stern
- *The League* (2009), series, as Stu Pompeu
- *The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu* (2009), as Clarence
- *The Invention of Lying* (2009), as Waiter #1
- *Community* (2009), series, as Professor Cligoris — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md)
- *Paper Heart* (2009), as Martin Starr
- *Oh Joy* (2009), Actor
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as Kevin — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *Adventureland* (2009), as Joel
- *Party Down* (2009), series, as Roman DeBeers — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md)
- *Big Breaks* (2008), as Barrista
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Roman DeBeers
- *Good Dick* (2008), as Simon
- *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), as Computer Nerd — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md)
- *Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story* (2007), as Schmendrick
- *Yo Gabba Gabba!* (2007), series, Actor
- *Superbad* (2007), as James Masselin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/superbad.md)
- *Knocked Up* (2007), as Martin
- *American Storage* (2006), as Charlie
- *How I Met Your Mother* (2005), series, as Kevin — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/how-i-met-your-mother.md)
- *Kicking & Screaming* (2005), as Beantown Customer
- *The Toast* (2005), as No Friend of the Groom
- *Who's Your Daddy?* (2004), as Scooter
- *Cheats* (2002), as Applebee
- *Stealing Harvard* (2002), as Liquor Store Clerk
- *Undeclared* (2001), series, as Theo
- *Eyeball Eddie* (2001), as Eddie Malick
- *Robbie's Brother* (2001), as Wayne
- *Ed* (2000), series, as Clark Salinger
- *Roswell* (1999), series, as Monk Pyle
- *Freaks and Geeks* (1999), series, as Bill Haverchuck — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/freaks-and-geeks.md)
- *Providence* (1999), series, Actor
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Andrew / Tommy (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Xtro 3: Watch the Skies* (1995), as Biff Atkins
- *Hero* (1992), as Allen in Coma
- *Hellhound*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Martin Starr](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-4bbd7a9b707c.jpg) Martin Starr — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Martin_Starr_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Martin_Starr_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ken Marino and Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-f83ae26ee381.jpg) Ken Marino and Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Ken_Marino_%26_Martin_Starr_%285976563605%29.jpg/1280px-Ken_Marino_%26_Martin_Starr_%285976563605%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-d20029d40425.jpg) Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Martin_Starr_%285977124834%29.jpg/1280px-Martin_Starr_%285977124834%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-7dc75f7c59b5.jpg) Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Martin_Starr_%285977128454%29.jpg/1280px-Martin_Starr_%285977128454%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martin Starr](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-1d4e128bfd8d.jpg) Martin Starr — Image via TMDB
- ![Martin Starr](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-78e07d7f6a72.jpg) Martin Starr — Image via TMDB
- ![Martin Starr](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-a4db248e9ee5.jpg) Martin Starr — Image via TMDB
- ![Martin Starr at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of A Good Old Fashioned Orgy.](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-d6ea9c66ffb4.jpg) Martin Starr at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Martin_Starr_2011_Shankbone.JPG/1280px-Martin_Starr_2011_Shankbone.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martin Starr from the HBO series Silicon Valley strikes a pose. (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/61864/gallery-e545335aae38.jpg) Martin Starr from the HBO series Silicon Valley strikes a pose. (2016) — Steve Jurvetson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Martin_Starr_2016.jpg/1280px-Martin_Starr_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/martin-starr