Jump to content

Antony Starr

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Antony Starr
Starr in 2012
Born (1975-10-25) 25 October 1975 (age 48)
Wellington, New Zealand[1]
EducationRangitoto College[2]
University of Auckland
OccupationActor
Years active1995–present

Antony Starr (born 25 October 1975) is a New Zealand actor. He is best known for his television roles. He played the dual roles of Jethro and Van West in the series Outrageous Fortune (2005–10), Lucas Hood in the Cinemax series Banshee (2013–16), and gained wider attention for playing Homelander in the Prime Video series The Boys and its spin-offs (2019–present).[3]

For his performance in the 2012 Australian film Wish You Were Here, Starr won the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, among other accolades. He was nominated for the New Zealand Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in After the Waterfall (2010).

Career[edit]

1995-2017: Early work and recognition[edit]

Starr began his professional acting career early in the 1990s with a small part in Shortland Street and had guest roles in Xena: Warrior Princess.

In 2001, Starr was cast in Mercy Peak as Todd Van der Velter, a guest role that he had throughout the show's three seasons. He also received a role as the brother of long running character Waverley Wilson in the soap opera Shortland Street. He appeared for several weeks as part of the write out of the Minnie Crozier character. Starr stated he did not like the fast pace of the show and thought his performances suffered because of it.[4]

Since then, Starr's television credits have included a core cast role in kids' series Hard Out and guest roles in P.E.T. Detectives and Street Legal as well as a brief stint in Serial Killers, the comedy series that was penned by Outrageous Fortune co-creator James Griffin.

Starr at a film festival.

Playing twins Van and Jethro West won Starr the 2007 Air New Zealand Screen Award for Performance by an Actor, the award for Best Actor at the Qantas Television Awards and Best Actor at the Asian TV Awards in the same year. Readers of the TV Guide also voted Starr Best Actor in the 2007 TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards. In 2005, he was named Best Actor at the inaugural Qantas Television Awards for his role in Outrageous Fortune.

During the production of the first series of Outrageous Fortune, Starr also juggled filming for Toa Fraser's debut feature, No. 2 which was released in New Zealand in early 2006. Starr's other film credits include Roger Donaldson's The World's Fastest Indian, the US comedy feature Without a Paddle and Brad McGann's feature film In My Father's Den. Between series two and three of Outrageous Fortune, Starr worked on a collaborative short film with some friends.

Starr appeared on stage in the second edition of Sex with Strangers (2005). In 2004, Starr performed in two theatre productions: Closer at Auckland's Silo Theatre[5] and Sex with Strangers directed by Colin Mitchell at the Herald Theatre.[6]

Between filming Outrageous Fortune seasons five and six, Starr starred in feature film After the Waterfall and the telefeature Spies and Lies.

In 2011, Starr joined the cast of the Australian police drama Rush, playing Senior Sergeant Charlie Lewis.[7] He also had a role in the second series of Lowdown.

From 2013 to 2016, Starr starred in the television series, Banshee, his first role on U.S. television. He played an unnamed ex-con who, after 15 years in prison, assumes the identity of Lucas Hood, becoming the new Sheriff of Banshee. Trying to reconnect with his former lover, Anastasia, both learn that he "has become a distant (violent) version of the man he once was".[8] The show's fourth and final season began in April 2016. Also in 2016, Starr portrayed main character Garrett Hawthorne on the CBS crime/mystery series American Gothic.

2018-present: The Boys and acclaim[edit]

Starr at GalaxyCon 2024.

In January 2018, it was announced that Starr was cast as The Homelander in The Boys, Amazon Studios's adaptation of the Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson comic book of the same name.[9] In the series he plays opposite Karl Urban who is also from New Zealand. "We've got an American show with a Kiwi playing an all-American hero psychopath and another Kiwi playing an Englishman. It's a pretty bizarre mix-up," said Starr.[10] Season one was released in July 2019 and received widespread acclaim. The show became one of the most successful original programs on Amazon Prime.[11] Season two of The Boys was released in September 2020. Season three was released in June 2022.[12] Both installments received consistent praise and success.[13][14]

Starr’s performance emerged as a stand-out element of the show and established him as an actor.[15][16] Although initially, he was dismissive of the role. In an interview with The New York Times, he confessed,

“There wasn’t a hell of a lot for me to go on, other than ‘Bad Superman.’ So I did the audition almost out of anger. Threw it down, sent it in and went, there’s your audition.”[17]

Carrie Witmer of Uproxx praised Starr by writing, “he creates fear, excitement, and comedy with a nightmarish stare or a menacing smile.”[18] Hannah Gearan of Screen Rant called Starr “The Best Part of The Boys”, stating that he provides a “chilling performance with a measured dialogue delivery that still makes Homelander seem grounded.”[19] Michael Ordoña of Los Angeles Times referred to Homelander as “TV’s most intriguing villain.”[20] Amhara Chamberlayne of Hollywood Insider ranked Starr’s Homelander among all-time great villains, and compared his role to characters like King Joffrey, Stringer Bell, and Gustavo Fring.[21] Since the release of the first season, audiences and critics alike have campaigned for Starr to receive an Emmy Award.[22][23][24][25]

The fourth season of The Boys premiered on Amazon Prime Video on June 13, 2024. Starr will also reprise his role in the fifth season of the show.[26]

Personal life[edit]

On 4 March 2022, it was reported that Starr was arrested in Alicante, Spain, after assaulting a 21-year old man at a local pub. He was sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison sentence and paid $5,530 in restitution to avoid prison time.[27] Antony was married to New Zealand actress Emma Lahana. He filed for divorce in 2016 at Los Angeles County Superior Court.[28]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2004 In My Father's Den Gareth
Without a Paddle Billy Newwood
2005 The World's Fastest Indian Jeff
2006 No. 2 Shelly
2010 After the Waterfall John Drean
2012 Wish You Were Here Jeremy King
2019 American Sausage Standoff Mike Dankworth McCoid
2023 The Covenant Eddie Parker
Cobweb Mark
TBA G20 Post-production

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Xena: Warrior Princess Mesas Episode: "Hooves and Harlots"
1996 David Episode: "The Giant Killer"
2000–2002 Shortland Street Stratford Wilson Guest role
2000 Street Legal Darren
2001–2003 Mercy Peak Todd Van der Velter Recurring role (21 episodes)
2003 Terror Peak Jason
Hard Out Stevo
Skin & Bone Seymour Collins Lead role, Television film
2004 Serial Killers Dean Crocker 1 episode
Not Only But Always LA Cab Driver Television film
2005–2010 Outrageous Fortune Jethro and Van West Main role
2008 The Jaquie Brown Diaries Himself Episode: "Brown Love"
2010 Spies and Lies Sydney Ross Television film
2011 Rush Charlie Lewis Main role (season 4)
Bliss Tom Mills Television film
2012 Tricky Business Matt Sloane Main role
Lowdown Stuart King 5 episodes
2013–2016 Banshee John "Lucas Hood" Smith Lead role, 38 episodes
2013–2014 Banshee Origins Two-part television film
2016 American Gothic Garrett Hawthorne Main role
2019–present The Boys John Gillman / Homelander Main role, 32 episodes
2020 Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun Stray Man Episode: "Housemates"
2022 The Boys Presents: Diabolical John Gillman / Homelander (voice) 2 episodes
2023 Gen V John Gillman / Homelander Episode: "Guardians of Godolkin"

Video games[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2022 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II John Gillman / Homelander Voice and likeness
2024 Mortal Kombat 1 Likeness only[29]

Online[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Vought News Network: Seven on 7 with Cameron Coleman John Gillman / Homelander Guest role; web series promoting The Boys

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2005 Qantas Television Awards Best Actor in TV Drama Outrageous Fortune Won [30]
2006 Air New Zealand Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor Nominated [31]
2007 Air New Zealand Screen Awards Won
2008 Qantas Film and Television Awards Performance by an Actor in General Television Won [32]
2009 Qantas Film and Television Awards Nominated [33]
2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Awards Best Performance by an Actor Spies And Lies Nominated [34]
Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film After the Waterfall Nominated
2012 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Supporting Actor Wish You Were Here Won
2013 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Won
2021 Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Actor in a Superhero Series The Boys Won [35]
Best Villain in a Series Won
2022 Saturn Awards Best Actor in a Streaming Television Series Nominated [36]
2023 Critics' Choice Awards Best Actor in a Drama Series Nominated [37]
Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Actor in a Superhero Series Won [38]
Best Villain in a Series Won

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mettler, Mike (6 May 2016). "Banshee Star Antony Starr Reflects on Cult Series". Digital Trends.
  2. ^ Vickers, Lucy (2 July 2009). "TV's Starr at school". Stuff.
  3. ^ Allen, Ben (4 September 2020). "Antony Starr on becoming the worst superhero ever in The Boys". British GQ. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  4. ^ Coleman, James (November 2010). "The rise and rise of Antony Starr". NZonscreen. NZ on Air. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  5. ^ Huse, Shannon (27 June 2004). "Closer at SiLo theatre to July 10". The New Zealand Herald.
  6. ^ Christian, Dionne (6 December 2005). "Enjoying more sex with strangers". The New Zealand Herald.
  7. ^ Antony Starr Channel Ten
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (12 March 2012). "Cinemax's Alan Ball-Produced New Series 'Banshee' Casts Antony Starr As Its Lead". Deadline Hollywood.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (17 January 2018). "'The Boys': Antony Starr, Chace Crawford, Dominique McElligott & Jessie Usher Cast In Amazon's Superhero Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood.
  10. ^ Adams, Josie (6 September 2020). "New Zealand's Antony Starr on playing an all-American monster in The Boys". The Spinoff. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  11. ^ Hayes, Dade (21 October 2019). "Amazon Prime Viewing Added to Nielsen, Which Reveals 'The Boys' Numbers". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  12. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (23 July 2020). "'The Boys' Renewed for Season 3 at Amazon, Adds After-Show". Variety.
  13. ^ "The Boys: Full Season 3 Review". IGN. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Northrup, Ryan (20 June 2024). "The Boys Season 4 Breaks Series Viewership Record Despite Review Bomb". ScreenRant. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Homelander from 'The Boys' is One of the Best Villains Ever - Hollywood Insider". 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  16. ^ ""I'm happy to be on the bench": Antony Starr Was Relieved to Be Let Go of Stunt Work in 'Brutal' Demanding Show That Pushed Him to His Limits". fandomwire.com. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  17. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/arts/television/antony-starr-the-boys.html
  18. ^ "Antony Starr's Performance On 'The Boys' Is The Best On Television". UPROXX. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  19. ^ Gearan, Hannah (20 June 2024). "Antony Starr's Homelander Performance In The Boys Season 4, Episode 4 Has Fans Losing Their Minds". ScreenRant. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Antony Starr puts himself into TV's most intriguing villain. Along with Trump and Obama". Los Angeles Times. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Homelander from 'The Boys' is One of the Best Villains Ever - Hollywood Insider". 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  22. ^ Tassi, Paul. "Antony Starr's Homelander Needs An Emmy For 'The Boys'". Forbes. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  23. ^ "'Sorry Antony Starr, You Deserved Better': Internet Apologises To The Boys Star For Legendary Season 3 Performance After Emmys 2022 Rejects Series". fandomwire.com. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Will Antony Starr ('The Boys') parlay Critics Choice bid into Emmy nomination?". GoldDerby. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  25. ^ Radish, Christina (20 June 2024). "'The Boys' Creator Says "It's So Long Overdue, Just Give [Antony Starr] an Emmy Already"". Collider. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  26. ^ Maas, Jennifer (14 May 2024). "'The Boys' Renewed for Season 5 at Amazon". Variety. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  27. ^ Sharf, Zack (4 March 2022). "'The Boys' Actor Antony Starr Arrested in Spain for Alleged Assault". Variety. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  28. ^ Chand, Sagar (9 June 2024). "Antony Starr's Wife Has Been a Well-Kept Secret All Along". PopTVCulture. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  29. ^ Watson, Philip (29 May 2024). "The Boys' Homelander Enters Mortal Kombat 1 In New Bloody Trailer". CGMagazine. Retrieved 29 May 2024. Die-hard fans of The Boys will note that sadly Antony Starr (the voice of the live-action character) did not voice this rendition of the flying 'hero'.
  30. ^ "2005 Winners". Kiwi TV. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Air New Zealand Screen Awards 2006 – finalists and winners". OnFilm. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Qantas Film and Television Awards 2008 – Winners List" (PDF). Screen Directors Guild of NZ. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Qantas TV Awards finalists". The Big Idea. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  34. ^ "AFTA 2011 winners announced". ON FILM. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  35. ^ Millado, Nate (4 January 2021). "Lights, Camera, Action!". CBS Watch. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  36. ^ Tinoco, Armando (29 June 2022). "Saturn Awards Nominations: 'The Batman', 'Nightmare Alley', 'Spider-Man', 'Better Call Saul' Top List". Deadline. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  37. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (15 January 2023). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  38. ^ Hipes, Patrick (22 February 2023). "'The Batman' Leads Nominations For The Critics Choice Super Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Antony Starr.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antony_Starr&oldid=1230509550"