His first feature film role was in the 1982 comedy film Hanky Panky with Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. He also appeared in Carl Reiner's 1987 comedy Summer School and Martin Scorsese's hit 1990 crime drama Goodfellas as Henry Hill's father. His most recent role is in the 2005 hit movie 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, The 4400, A Nero Wolfe Mystery and NYPD Blue.