Jack Starrett was a multi-talented actor and director who made a name for himself in the low-budget drive-in exploitation film industry. Born on November 2, 1936, in Refugio, Texas, he began his acting career in the early 1960s, making his debut in the film "Like Father, Like Son" (1961). He then transitioned to directing, making his debut with two biker films starring William Smith: "Run, Angel, Run!" (1969) and "The Losers" (1970).
Starrett's early directing career included the films "Cry Blood, Apache" (1970),"The Strange Vengeance of Rosalie" (1972),and "Slaughter" (1972),a blaxploitation vehicle starring Jim Brown. He then made "Cleopatra Jones" (1973),followed by "The Dion Brothers" (1974),a crime caper romp.
In the mid-1970s, Starrett directed "Race with the Devil" (1975),a horror-action film that became his biggest drive-in hit. He also made "A Small Town in Texas" (1976),a solid entry in the redneck exploitation genre. In the early 1980s, he directed "Kiss My Grits" (1982),a character study that showcased his ability to craft nuanced performances.
In addition to his film work, Starrett also directed several episodes of popular TV shows, including "Hill Street Blues," "The A-Team," "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Knight Rider," "Planet of the Apes," and "Starsky and Hutch."
As an actor, Starrett had a commanding screen presence, often playing rough-around-the-edges characters. He was memorable in films like "Blazing Saddles" (1974),"First Blood" (1982),and "The River" (1984). He often took on small roles in his own films and was married to soap opera actress Valerie Starrett. The couple had a daughter, Jennifer Starrett, who also became an actress.
Sadly, Jack Starrett struggled with alcoholism and died at the age of 52 from kidney failure on March 27, 1989.
