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Beau Starr has died (Fannish Fifty #18)
May. 3rd, 2026 02:52 pmI'm very sad to report that Beau Starr, who played Lieutenant Welsh on due South (and Henry Hill's dad in Goodfellas, among many, many other roles), has died - reportedly of natural causes, at age 81.
I didn't know he'd played for the NFL or CFL until reading about his death. I can totally see that, though. Prior to that, all I knew was his IMDb filmography.
I always loved Lt. Welsh as played by Starr. He stood by his detectives. I liked him much better than the actor who played Vecchio's lieutenant in the pilot. Beau really added something to the ensemble cast. I'm glad that, in later seasons of dS, he got to shine more. The world-weary, cynical mask with which Beau imbued him was allowed to slip and reveal a history and depth to the character that were only barely glimpsed in the early seasons. PG may have made some head-scratching choices (about which fen have debated for decades now) in the episodes he helmed... but expanding Lt. Welsh's role was not one of them.
I didn't know he'd played for the NFL or CFL until reading about his death. I can totally see that, though. Prior to that, all I knew was his IMDb filmography.
I always loved Lt. Welsh as played by Starr. He stood by his detectives. I liked him much better than the actor who played Vecchio's lieutenant in the pilot. Beau really added something to the ensemble cast. I'm glad that, in later seasons of dS, he got to shine more. The world-weary, cynical mask with which Beau imbued him was allowed to slip and reveal a history and depth to the character that were only barely glimpsed in the early seasons. PG may have made some head-scratching choices (about which fen have debated for decades now) in the episodes he helmed... but expanding Lt. Welsh's role was not one of them.
