Jack Starrett
DirectingAbout Jack Starrett
Jack Starrett (November 2, 1936 – March 27, 1989) was an American actor and film director. 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). Description above from the Wikipedia article Jack Starrett, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Jack Starrett reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 24 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Action
The majority of Jack Starrett's filmography leans towards the Action genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 17% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Jack Starrett remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in First Blood, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Jack Starrett Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Jack Starrett's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Jack Starrett.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Grizzly II: Revenge | Papas | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Nightwish | Professor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Family Reunion | Charlie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Brothers in Arms | Father | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Death Chase | Lt. MacGrew | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Hollywood Heartbreak | Lou Budowski | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | The River | Swick | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | First Blood | Deputy Sgt. Arthur Galt | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | The Rose | Dee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Mr. Horn | Gen. George Crook | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | Nowhere to Hide | Gus | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | A Small Town in Texas | Buford Tyler | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Race with the Devil | Gas Station Attendant | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Dion Brothers | Gentleman Rancher (as Claude Ennis Starrett Jr.) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles | Gabby Johnson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Kid Blue | Tough Guy (as Claude Ennis Starrett Jr.) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Girls from Thunder Strip | Sheriff | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Cry Blood Apache | The Deacon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Losers | Chet Davis (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Hell's Bloody Devils | Rocky | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Gay Deceivers | Colonel Dixon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | Angels from Hell | Bingham | Flop | Similar → |
| 1967 | The Born Losers | Deputy Fred | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | Hells Angels on Wheels | Sagt. Bingham | Flop | Similar → |
Jack Starrett - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Jack Starrett?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jack Starrett is "First Blood" with a rating of 7.5/10.
How many movies has Jack Starrett acted in?
Jack Starrett has been featured in at least 24 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Jack Starrett?
Other notable films include "Blazing Saddles", "Kid Blue", and "The Rose".