He is known for his film role as Sheriff Ben Meeker in the 1988 horror film Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers; he reprised his role in the 1989 sequel Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers.
Starr was born in Queens, New York, to a retail employee mother and a meatpacker father.
He has starred in several made-for-television movies, and appeared in a number of productions based in Canada, including Due South, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and Doc as well as some advertisements.
He also appeared in Carl Reiner's 1987 comedy Summer School, Martin Scorsese's hit 1990 crime drama Goodfellas as Henry Hill's father, and in the 2005 drama Cinderella Man.
Starr made many guest appearances on television series, including T.J. Hooker, The A-Team, Knight Rider, Hill Street Blues, V: The Series, Hunter, Wings, The 4400, A Nero Wolfe Mystery and NYPD Blue.