Former child actor Jeffrey Louis Starr, who played catcher Mike Engelberg in two “Bad News Bears” sequels during the late 1970s, died July 25 at age 61 following a serious illness. Starr passed away at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, surrounded by family members.
The actor’s brother Kevin Starr announced the death on Facebook July 26, revealing that Jeffrey had been battling illness for several years. Kevin Starr wrote that his brother had been sick for an extended period and noted that “depression is one of the biggest killers in the world.” The official cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born February 20, 1964, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Starr appeared in “The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training” (1977) and “The Bad News Bears Go to Japan” (1978). He replaced Gary Lee Cavagnaro, who originated the Mike Engelberg character in the 1976 film “The Bad News Bears” starring Walter Matthau and Tatum O’Neal.
In the 1977 sequel, Starr worked alongside established actors William Devane and Clifton James. The following year’s film featured him acting with Hollywood icon Tony Curtis, known for classics including “Some Like It Hot” (1959). The “Bad News Bears” franchise originated from the 1976 sports comedy about an aging ex-minor league player coaching a misfit Little League team in California.
The original film achieved both commercial and critical success, earning a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy Written Directly For The Screen. The franchise spawned multiple sequels, a short-lived CBS television series from 1979-1980, and a 2005 remake starring Billy Bob Thornton and Greg Kinnear.
According to his Internet Movie Database page, the two “Bad News Bears” sequels represent Starr’s only official film credits. However, family sources indicated he appeared as an uncredited extra in several other productions throughout his later years.
Starr married Linda Darlene Webb in 1981, and the couple celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in June, just weeks before his death. After his acting career, Starr became a deacon at Mill Creek Baptist Church in 2010. His obituary noted that he loved attending church and spending time with family, particularly his grandchildren.
Kevin Starr’s Facebook tribute described his brother as someone who lived an amazing life and shared his light with countless people. He indicated that Jeffrey never met a stranger and helped many people throughout the years. The tribute emphasized that their family had suffered numerous losses but must persevere through the difficult time.
Starr maintained membership in the Screen Actors Guild and was a longtime member of the Moose Lodge #1346 in Anna, Illinois. His involvement in community organizations reflected his commitment to maintaining connections beyond his brief Hollywood career.
The actor is survived by his wife Linda, two sons Brandon and Jacob, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren with another expected. He also leaves behind two brothers, including Kevin, one sister, and other extended family members.
Kevin Starr requested that people keep their mother Janet “Sue” Starr, Jeffrey’s wife Linda, and his children and grandchildren in their prayers during this difficult period. The family has asked for privacy as they process their loss and make arrangements.
The “Bad News Bears” films remain beloved entries in the sports comedy genre, introducing audiences to young actors who portrayed the ragtag baseball team members. Starr’s portrayal of the team’s catcher contributed to the franchise’s continued popularity among baseball and movie fans.
While Starr’s professional acting career was brief, spanning just two films in the late 1970s, his performances alongside notable actors like Curtis and Devane left a lasting impression on audiences who grew up watching the “Bad News Bears” sequels during their original theatrical releases and subsequent television broadcasts.
