Claude Ennis "Jack" Starrett Jr. was an American actor and film director. Starrett is perhaps best known for his role as Gabby Johnson, a parody of George "Gabby" Hayes, in the 1974 filmBlazing Saddles and is also known for his role as the brutal deputy Art Galt in the 1982 action filmFirst Blood. He also played the cruel foreman Swick in The River. Starrett acted in the biker films The Born Losers, Hells Angels on Wheels, Angels from Hell and Hell's Bloody Devils, and directed two more: Run, Angel, Run in 1969 and Nam's Angels as well as the horror filmRace with the Devil - that was filmed in his home state of Texas - in which he also played a gas station attendant.
Life and career
Starrett was raised in Refugio, Texas and worked in the oil fields before coming to Hollywood. Starrett starred in the 1961 filmLike Father Like Son as Coach Jennings, and later reprised the role in The Young Sinner in 1965 and Like Father Like Son in 1987. Valerie Starrett, Jack's wife at one time, said Jack had always wished to direct rather than act. He made an uncredited first attempt at direction when the original director of The Girls from Thunder Strip. Through his career, Starrett directed feature films and episodes of television programs. In addition, he made guest appearances on TV shows including Hill Street Blues, Hunter, The A-Team, and Knight Rider Starrett starred in three short films directed by Tony Schweikle, "Legend of the Durango Kid," "Colorado Rid'n High" and "Nolo Bait." Starrett and Schweikle stayed close friends until the day Starrett died. Jack called Tony on Good Friday complaining he was not feeling well. Asked will he go to a doctor, Jack replied I'll lie here until I get better, it worked dozens of other times. He died on Easter. At his funeral there were several photos of Jack as The Durango Kid. Charles Starrett was his boyhood idol. He turned down Tony's first offer to play the part of Cascade Charlie, but when Schweikle changed the title to The Legend of the Durango Kid, Jack immediately accepted. Charles Starrett played the Durango Kid in many films. Starrett died from kidney failure in Sherman Oaks, California at the age of 52. At the time of his death he was married to Valerie Starrett. His daughter is Jennifer Starrett, who is also an actress.
