Former Bad News Bears Actor Jeffrey Starr Dies at 61

Jeffrey Louis Starr, known for playing Mike Engelberg in the sequels to "The Bad News Bears," died at the age of 61 following a serious illness. He passed away on July 25 in a hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, surrounded by loved ones. Starr's brother, Kevin, described him as a kind and caring person who never met a stranger and helped many people, while also revealing that Starr had struggled with illness and depression for several years. Starr appeared in "The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training" and "The Bad News Bears Go to Japan," sharing the screen with notable actors like Tony Curtis. Beyond acting, he became a deacon at his church in 2010 and was married to his wife Linda for 44 years, with whom he had two sons and several grandchildren. His family has requested prayers for their continued healing after this loss.