Former child star Jeffrey Louis Starr has sadly died at the age of 61.
The retired actor was best known for starring as Mike Engelberg in the Bad News Bears movie sequels. He shared the screen with huge stars like Tony Curtis, William Devane and Clifton James during his time in the baseball comedy-drama films.
Jeffrey reportedly died at a hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, after “battling an illness”. No official cause of death has been given yet but TMZ reported he was “surrounded by loved ones” when he passed.
Jeffrey’s Kevin also paid a heartbreaking tribute to his sibling on social media – and revealed Jeffrey had been “sick for several years”. He wrote: “The world got a little darker yesterday with the passing of my Best Friend and Brother.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Jeff lived an amazing life and shared his life with countless people, Jeff never met a stranger and helped so many people throughout the years. Our family has suffered so many losses in the past but we must push through,” he continued.
He asked fans and friends to keep them “in their prayers.” He concluded: “I love you so much little brother and I’ll see you on the other side.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Starr is survived by his wife Linda and their two songs Brandon and Jacob. The pair have nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and another on the way.
Jeffrey played unlikely baseball player Mike Engelberg in The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977) and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978). In the 1978 film, he worked with Hollywood legend Tony Curtis, famed for Some Like It Hot (1959) with Marilyn Monroe.
Jeffrey doesn’t have any other official credits but TMZ reports he appeared as an extra in several projects in his later years. He became a deacon at his church in 2010.
The Mill Creek Baptist Church said that he “loved going to church and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren”.
The original Bad News Bears came out in 1976 and starred Vic Morrow, Walter Matthau and Tatum O’Neal. IMDB says the premise followed: “An aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor leaguer who coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league”.
It was a hit and picked up a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy Written Directly For The Screen. It also spawned a 2005 remake starring Billy Bob Thornton and Greg Kinnear.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
