Antony Starr bio, height, girlfriend, photos in youth, family, career path 2025

Biography of Antony Starr

Antony Starr is among the most enigmatic New Zealand television and film actors. He gained recognition with the breakthrough TV series "Outrageous Fortune," where he portrayed the protagonist, Jethro West. He made his American TV debut as the complex thief Lucas Hood in the gritty crime series "Banshee," but widespread popularity came with his chilling performance in the dark superhero series "The Boys."

Childhood and Youth

Antony Starr was born in Wellington in the fall of 1975. As a boy, he was free-spirited and headstrong, unlike his two sisters.

As a teenager, he dropped out of school and moved to Norway on his own. For a year and a half, Antony perfected his snowboarding skills while making ends meet with various part-time jobs in cafes and bars: washing dishes, cleaning, and eventually waiting tables. Along the way, he picked up fluent Norwegian.

When Starr returned to New Zealand, he enrolled in acting school and started going to TV auditions. In the early '90s, the charismatic young actor caught filmmakers' attention and started landing roles in various film and TV projects.

Acting Career

Antony's acting career kicked off with the role of Stratford Wilson in the dramatic TV series "Shortland Street," created by Angela Bloomfield and Brian Lennane.

Around the same time, he landed roles in the joint American-New Zealand project "Xena: Warrior Princess," portraying David, and in Chris Bailey's series "Street Legal," appearing as guest character Darren.

Next, Starr played twenty episodes as Todd Van der Velter in the short-lived series "Mercy Peak," which was cancelled in 2003 due to low ratings.

Starr's first major role came as tourist company owner Patrick Jayson in the adventure action film "Terror Peak," directed by Dale G. Bradley. He decides to show Janet and Kevin Frazer a dormant volcano, translated from the Maori language as "The Terror Peak." Antony's character discovers that the volcano has resumed activity, posing a threat to residents and tourists. While the film did not achieve great success, it provided an intriguing experience for the actor.

After several minor roles in short-lived films, the actor received an offer to star in the crime-comedy series "Outrageous Fortune" in a leading role. Taking the part, he committed to six seasons of filming and numerous photoshoots for glossy magazines. Starr truly lived up to his surname, especially as he was nominated for various awards for his portrayal of Jethro West.

After a surge in popularity, Starr briefly disappeared from the screen, later reemerging as Senior Sergeant Charlie Lewis in the Australian police project "Rush," created by Andrew Prowse and Grant Brown. Soon after, the actor was invited to another Australian project, Kieran Darcy-Smith's "Wish You Were Here," in which his portrayal of Jeremy King was recognized with an award from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.

Starr considers his role as Jeff in Roger Donaldson's biographical drama "The World's Fastest Indian" to be a significant stroke of luck. This was not solely due to the role itself, but rather the opportunity to work alongside cinematic genius Anthony Hopkins, who embodied the main character.

One of the actor's most pivotal roles was Lucas Hood in the American action-drama "Banshee," created by Ole Christian Madsen and Greg Yaitanes. A fashionable women's magazine wrote about him during the series' filming:

It is nearly impossible not to fall victim to the blue-eyed New Zealander Antony Starr, a former criminal impersonating the sheriff of the small town of Banshee.

While most critic reviews were positive, they were somewhat mixed. The series was described as ludicrous, packed with silly scenes, and likened to a hot mess – yet a hot mess of the highest quality! Critics praised Antony as a revelation, delivering an utterly convincing performance.

Banshee Season 1: Interview Segment

The actor himself noted that filming TV series in America means a significantly faster pace and schedule compared to his homeland:

You know, it's a double-edged sword – you're constantly focused, and the work is intense, preventing any distractions, but it consumes you for an entire six months like you're in a pressure cooker. And when it all ends, you feel emotionally and physically drained.

Starr knew what he was talking about – during filming, he shattered his elbow, tore a tendon below his knee, and needed serious wrist surgery.

Due to injuries sustained during the series, the actor had to decline several interesting roles. However, Antony had no regrets, as he'd long wanted to challenge himself by portraying such an energetic and dynamic character. As for the essence of the series, the actor managed to reveal Hood's inner turmoil.

The Boys

In 2019, the actor landed the role of superhero Homelander in the darkly comic action series "The Boys," created by Eric Kripke, with Philip Sgriccia and Daniel Attias.

His character is essentially a Superman knockoff, complete with flight and laser vision. But the series doesn't follow the well-worn Marvel and DC playbook—instead, it flips the superhero genre on its head. In "The Boys," they're not heroes but calculating, hypocritical fame-seekers who couldn't care less about ordinary people. And Starr's character is the most repulsive of them all.

Homelander pretending to be Antony Starr

Starr describes the series as political and social satire that still manages to be fun. According to Starr, "The Boys" showcases different types of celebrities—from actors to politicians—all wrestling with their conscience. The show's superheroes face issues that mirror real-world problems: corruption, religious conflicts, and homophobia.

Two New Zealand stars actually crossed paths on the show: Karl Urban (who plays Billy Butcher, one of the protagonists) and Antony Starr. The latter was delighted to work alongside his fellow countryman on set.

Antony Starr and Karl Urban on working with babies on The Boys

In addition to continuing his role in "The Boys," Starr has a leading part lined up in the Danish director Ulrich Thomsen's comedy film, "Gutterbee."

Antony Starr's Personal Life

During an interview at the Skyline TV studio, Antony Starr masterfully dodged personal questions, leaving journalists completely flustered. They likened the interview to a tennis match where the actor clearly came out on top. For the entire half-hour chat, he expertly sidestepped any questions about his private life. When asked if he has a family, he replied, "Yes," followed by a Stanislavski-worthy silence. (For the record, he does have two sisters who've blessed him with four nieces.)

When it comes to the holidays, Antony Starr clearly prefers keeping his personal life under wraps. When asked about his plans for the holidays, he replied—somewhat irritated, it seemed—that he'd be doing what everyone else does during the break. He wouldn't share any other details about who he'd be spending time with or his relationship status. He did mention, however, that he still lives in Auckland.

At one point, around 2015, there were rumors that Starr was dating American model and actress of Croatian descent Ivana Milicevic. But soon after, rumors began swirling about his romance with Lucy McLay, whom he'd reportedly met at a fast-food joint.

On Twitter, Antony shares his thoughts on various topics, but one particular quote captures the actor's personality perfectly:

Many people open their mouths and think everyone should know what they think about this or that issue. I have plenty of opinions on various matters, but I don't think they'd be interesting to most people, so I keep them to myself. As for politics—if people want to build campaigns, run for office, and debate, then why not? It's their choice. And I'll do what I want.

This quote perfectly captures how Antony Starr values his privacy and keeps his personal opinions close to the vest, choosing instead to focus on his work and what he loves doing.

Antony Starr Now

These days, Antony Starr has been laser-focused on his role as Homelander in the hit series "The Boys". The third season of "The Boys" dropped in 2022, and showrunners have promised fans at least two more seasons. In addition to his work on "The Boys", Starr has also lent his voice to the animated series "Diabolical", a spin-off of the original show.

Starr has also agreed to take on the lead role in a horror film called "Cobweb" and Guy Ritchie's action film titled "The Covenant".

Antony Starr & Erin Moriarty Interview: The Boys Season 3

In March 2022, Antony Starr was arrested on charges of assaulting a bartender while filming in Spain. The actor was sentenced to a year in prison, but he paid a fine of $5,530 and avoided incarceration. Despite this incident, Starr continues to work on his acting career and upcoming projects.