---
name: "Mike Starr"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/mike-starr"
fi1m_id: "mike-starr"
imdb_id: "nm0823563"
tmdb_id: 5170
wikidata_id: "Q1373450"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 July 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-04T19:48:42.477318+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."
---

# Mike Starr

## Identity

Mike Starr

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/mike-starr
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** mike-starr
- **IMDb ID:** nm0823563
- **TMDB ID:** 5170
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1373450
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Starr_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1373450, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0823563/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5170

Actor. Born 29 July 1950 in Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 July 1950, Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1984–2006
- **Also known as:** Michael Starr , Michael "Mike" Starr, مایک استار
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 65 (3), 1990s 79 (7), 2000s 66 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 71 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Comedy 5, Crime 5, Romance 2, Thriller 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 23 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,046m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Starr_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1373450, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0823563/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5170

## Streaming the US now

- **Paramount+:** [*The Bodyguard*](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md) (63)

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

## Fi1m on Mike Starr

> Mike Starr gives threatening men a matter-of-fact credibility that works in crime films and travels well into comedy. We value his seriousness, though repeated casting by size and appearance can leave him with too little to play.

Mike Starr's deep voice and burly build make him an obvious choice for a heavy. He tends to play the menace seriously, even when the film around him is being ridiculous. That gives the comedy someone who appears to mean business, rather than another performer asking for a laugh. We like this grounded approach, which makes familiar mobsters and tough men convincing without requiring them to be the centre of attention.

His parts as Frenchy in *GoodFellas* (1990) and Frankie in *Miller's Crossing* (1990) helped establish him in crime films. Martin Scorsese's *GoodFellas* remains our strongest recommendation here, for a cast that makes appalling company difficult to leave. Starr adds a credible supporting figure without competing with the leads. There is no need to make Frenchy the reason to see the film to recognise the value of that contribution.

*Dumb and Dumber* (1994) puts that credibility to a different use, casting him as comic antagonist Joe Mentaliano alongside Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. He gives their foolishness someone to irritate, and plays the menace as though this were a less forgiving sort of film. We laughed at Joe's seriousness amid the double act's stupidity, because Starr keeps the threat credible when the surrounding comedy has abandoned good sense. The jokes repeat themselves, but his approach helps explain why enough of them still work.

His size and appearance have also kept him returning to stereotypical tough-guy parts, and familiarity can make an actor's decisions harder to notice. *Ed Wood* (1994), with Starr as Georgie Weiss, offered a less clichéd character. That is the direction we would welcome more of: parts that ask him to do something beyond looking dangerous. For the comic value of taking danger seriously, try *Dumb and Dumber*.

## Biography

Mike Starr is an American character actor born on 29 July 1950 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. He is known for supporting roles as mobsters, police officers and other tough characters in film and television.

Starr graduated from Hofstra University. His brother, Beau Starr, is also an actor. He appeared as Frenchy in Martin Scorsese's *GoodFellas* (1990) and has credits in films including *Dumb and Dumber* (1994) as Joe Mentaliano, *Ed Wood* (1994) as Georgie Weiss and *The Bodyguard* (1992) as Tony Scipelli. Television work includes guest roles in series such as *The Office* (2005) and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999).

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

## On Fi1m (13)

- *The Black Dahlia* (2006), Fi1m 56, as Russ Millard — [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-dahlia.md)
- *The Office* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Grotti — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *NCIS* (2003), Fi1m 66, as Monroe Cooper — [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *Clockers* (1995), Fi1m 74, as Thumper — [page](https://film.one/film/clockers.md)
- *Dumb and Dumber* (1994), Fi1m 76, as Joe Mentaliano — [page](https://film.one/film/dumb-and-dumber.md)
- *Ed Wood* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Georgie Weiss — [page](https://film.one/film/ed-wood.md)
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Newsroom Reporter — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *The Bodyguard* (1992), Fi1m 63, as Tony Scipelli — [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), Fi1m 93, as Frenchy — [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)
- *Miller's Crossing* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Frankie — [page](https://film.one/film/millers-crossing.md)
- *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Man #1 - Arthur's Bar — [page](https://film.one/film/born-on-the-fourth-of-july.md)
- *The Money Pit* (1986), Fi1m 54, as Lenny — [page](https://film.one/film/the-money-pit.md)
- *The Natural* (1984), Fi1m 67, as Boone — [page](https://film.one/film/the-natural.md)

## Complete filmography (186)

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

- *Til Death Do Us Part* (2023), as Father
- *The Crusades* (2023), as Mr. Podkowa
- *Sweetwater* (2023), as Eddie Gottlieb
- *Life's Better Protected* (2022), as The Casting Director
- *East New York* (2022), series, as Kurt Walsh
- *Clowning* (2022), as Detective Welles
- *Scarlett* (2021), as Gino
- *The Cleaner* (2021), as Carl
- *Zeroville* (2019), as Burly
- *Recovery* (2019), as Dr. Taylor
- *Offstage Elements* (2019), as Sammy Gallo
- *Making a Killing* (2018), as Arthur Herring
- *Cabaret Maxime* (2018), as Ripa
- *Prism* (2017), as Jim (Chapter 2: Changeless)
- *Bad Santa 2* (2016), as Jolly Santa
- *The Bronx Bull* (2016), as Jerry
- *Dice* (2016), series, as Harold
- *Billions* (2016), series, as Nicky Pawlowski
- *The Wannabe* (2015), as Jerry
- *Bereave* (2015), as George
- *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, as Dominic — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md)
- *Dancer and the Dame* (2015), as Poochareli
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Balthazar "Bino" Baker — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Ray Donovan* (2013), series, as O'Malley
- *Delivering the Goods* (2012), as Domenico
- *Chicago Fire* (2012), series, as Arthur
- *Mancation* (2012), as Mr. Vanderplatt
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Russell Gertz
- *Best Friends Forever* (2012), series, as Angelo
- *Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life* (2012), as Officer Polansky
- *Buzzkill* (2012), as Agent Brady
- *The Finder* (2012), series, as Benny Famosa
- *Walk a Mile in My Pradas* (2011), as John
- *Kill the Irishman* (2011), as Leo "Lips" Moceri
- *Shameless* (2011), series, as Yard Guy — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless-2011.md)
- *The Good Guys* (2010), series, as Bobby Kneecaps
- *Ca$h* (2010), as Melvin Goldberg
- *Wrong Turn at Tahoe* (2009), as Paulie
- *Black Dynamite* (2009), as Rafelli
- *Chicago Overcoat* (2009), as Lorenzo Galante
- *I Hate Valentine's Day* (2009), as John
- *Glee* (2009), series, as Usher — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/glee.md)
- *Lonely Street* (2009), as JG
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Taxi Driver
- *Life on Mars* (2008), series, as Nelson
- *The Middleman* (2008), series, as Cop
- *Black Crescent Moon* (2008), as Leroy Brown
- *Osso Bucco* (2008), as Jelly Dinotto
- *Dough Boys* (2008), as Anthony
- *The Black Dahlia* (2006), as Russ Millard — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-dahlia.md)
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Max Rizzo
- *Hot Tamale* (2006), as Al
- *Jesse Stone: Night Passage* (2006), as Chief Lou Carson
- *The Ice Harvest* (2005), as Roy Gelles
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Frankie Cooper — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Jane Doe: The Wrong Face* (2005), as Kramer
- *The Office* (2005), series, as Grotti — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *Under the City* (2005), as Ed Dandos
- *House* (2004), series, as Willie — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Vince Robinson
- *Listen Up!* (2004), series, as Bully
- *Elvis Has Left the Building* (2004), as Sal
- *Mickey* (2004), as Tony
- *Jersey Girl* (2004), as Block
- *Joan of Arcadia* (2003), series, as Big Tough Guy God
- *The Handler* (2003), series, as Artie Levy
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Monroe Cooper — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *A.U.S.A.* (2003), series, as Bobby Paterno
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Gil
- *Backflash* (2002), as Tono
- *Knockaround Guys* (2001), as Bobby Boulevard
- *The Next Big Thing* (2001), as Walter Sznitken
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Mr. Iverson
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Ted Marston
- *3 A.M.* (2001), as Theo
- *Tempted* (2001), as Dot Collins
- *Ed* (2000), series, as Kenny Sandusky
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Dominic Bruno
- *Bull* (2000), series, Actor
- *The Lady in Question* (1999), as Det. Tony Rossini
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Senator Tony Marino — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Mike O'Doole
- *Summer of Sam* (1999), as Eddie
- *Gloria* (1999), as Sean
- *Murder in a Small Town* (1999), as Tony
- *Martial Law* (1998), series, as Det. Alex Portman
- *Brother's Keeper* (1998), series, as Rick
- *L.A. Doctors* (1998), series, as Pete Mosely
- *Frogs for Snakes* (1998), as Crunch Gwiazda
- *Snake Eyes* (1998), as Walt McGahn
- *Animals with the Tollkeeper* (1998), as Young Felipe
- *Lesser Prophets* (1997), as Larry
- *The Deli* (1997), as Johnny
- *River Made to Drown In* (1997), as Frank
- *Hoodlum* (1997), as Albert Salke
- *Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing* (1997), as Mahmud Abouhalima
- *The Last Don* (1997), series, as Big Tim, Rustler
- *Flipping* (1997), as C.J., Fat Dude at 2-2 Card Club
- *Dear Diary* (1996), as Fritz
- *Just Your Luck* (1996), as Carl
- *EZ Streets* (1996), series, as Mickey Kinnear
- *Millennium* (1996), series, as Henry Dion
- *Blood and Wine* (1996), as Mike
- *Early Edition* (1996), series, as Phil Deluca
- *The Pretender* (1996), series, as Axe
- *James and the Giant Peach* (1996), as Cop
- *Two If by Sea* (1996), as Fitzie
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Frank Muller
- *The Shamrock Conspiracy* (1995), as Tierney
- *Brotherly Love* (1995), series, as Gus
- *Clockers* (1995), as Thumper — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/clockers.md)
- *Deadly Games* (1995), series, as Roy Hopkins
- *Nowhere Man* (1995), series, as Bert Williams
- *A Pyromaniac's Love Story* (1995), as Sgt. Zikowski
- *NewsRadio* (1995), series, as Building Super
- *Dumb and Dumber* (1994), as Joe Mentaliano — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/dumb-and-dumber.md)
- *Ed Wood* (1994), as Georgie Weiss — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/ed-wood.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Mugger (uncredited)
- *Trial by Jury* (1994), as Hughie Bonner
- *Hardball* (1994), series, as Mike Widmer
- *Baby's Day Out* (1994), as Jojo Ducky (uncredited)
- *Blown Away* (1994), as Francis the Barkeeper
- *Down on the Waterfront* (1994), Actor
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), as Newsroom Reporter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *On Deadly Ground* (1994), as Big Mike
- *Cabin Boy* (1994), as Mulligan
- *Me and Veronica* (1993), as Vinnie
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Billy Kriezel — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *The John Larroquette Show* (1993), series, as David Coltrane
- *Son of the Pink Panther* (1993), as Hanif
- *Night Trap* (1993), as Det. Williams
- *Mad Dog and Glory* (1993), as Harold
- *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Tony Cicci — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md)
- *The Bodyguard* (1992), as Tony Scipelli — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md)
- *Bob* (1992), series, Actor
- *Mac* (1992), as Fireman
- *Billy Bathgate* (1991), as Julie Martin
- *Home Improvement* (1991), series, as Officer Hill
- *The 10 Million Dollar Getaway* (1991), as Robert "Frenchy" McMahon
- *Miller's Crossing* (1990), as Frankie — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/millers-crossing.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Pollard, Tony Halliwell - Truck Driver, Steven Breck — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), as Frenchy — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)
- *Common Ground* (1990), as Terry Cattson
- *A Shock to the System* (1990), as Bum #3
- *Blue Steel* (1990), as Superintendent
- *Kojak: Flowers For Matty* (1990), as Det. Hamilton
- *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), as Man #1 - Arthur's Bar — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/born-on-the-fourth-of-july.md)
- *Kojak: Ariana* (1989), as Hamilton
- *Prime Target* (1989), as First Groucho
- *Uncle Buck* (1989), as Pooter-the-Clown
- *Last Exit to Brooklyn* (1989), as Security Guard
- *Collision Course* (1989), as Auto Worker Bowling Alley #3
- *New York Stories* (1989), as Hardhat
- *Lean On Me* (1989), as Mr. Zirella
- *A Man Called Hawk* (1989), series, Actor
- *The Chair* (1988), as Wilson
- *Punchline* (1988), as Man with Bullhorn
- *The Appointments of Dennis Jennings* (1988), as Doorman
- *Funny Farm* (1988), as Crocker
- *Frank Nitti: The Enforcer* (1988), as Harry Lang
- *Hot Paint* (1988), Actor
- *Nasty Hero* (1987), as Hackett
- *Wiseguy* (1987), series, Actor
- *Five Corners* (1987), as Bartender
- *Who's That Girl* (1987), as Shipping Co-Worker
- *Magic Sticks* (1987), as Magic Sticks
- *Radio Days* (1987), as Burglar
- *King Kong Lives* (1986), as Cell Guard #2
- *Off Beat* (1986), as James Bonnell
- *Violets Are Blue* (1986), as Tony
- *The Money Pit* (1986), as Lenny — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-money-pit.md)
- *Stone Pillow* (1985), as Man in Alley (uncredited)
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Garrick
- *The Protector* (1985), as Hood #2
- *Cat's Eye* (1985), as Ducky
- *The Last Dragon* (1985), as Rock
- *The Natural* (1984), as Boone — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-natural.md)
- *Terrible Joe Moran* (1984), as Thug #1
- *Hit and Run* (1982), as Copa Doorman
- *Evil Stalks This House* (1981), as Tom
- *The Bushido Blade* (1981), as Bos'n Cave Johnson
- *Cruising* (1980), as Patrolman Desher
- *Squeeze Play* (1979), as Salon Proprietor (uncredited)
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Max
- *Cusp*, as Stalker
- *Zips*, as Carmello

## Gallery

- ![Mike Starr](https://film.one/media/person/59824/gallery-9b5f5fd4a2ea.png) Mike Starr — thepaparazzigamer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Mike_Starr_2016.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Mike Starr](https://film.one/media/person/59824/gallery-1634eaebe301.jpg) Mike Starr — Image via TMDB
- ![Mike Starr](https://film.one/media/person/59824/gallery-e578905048af.jpg) Mike Starr — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/mike-starr