
Charles Starrett
ActingAbout Charles Starrett
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Charles Robert Starrett (March 28, 1903 – March 22, 1986) was an American actor best known for his starring role in the Durango Kid western series. When he retired he held the record for starring in the longest-running string of feature films (131 titles, half of them being "Durango Kid" films, for Columbia Pictures). A graduate of Worcester Academy in 1922, Starrett went on to study at Dartmouth College. While on the Dartmouth football team he was hired to play a football extra in the film The Quarterback (1926). Bitten by the acting bug, Starrett played minor roles in films and leading roles in stage plays. In 1928, he was a member of the Walker Company, a repertory theatre troupe headed by Stuart Walker. He played the romantic lead in Fast and Loose (1930), which also featured Miriam Hopkins, Carole Lombard, and Frank Morgan. He also starred in the Canadian production The Viking (1931), filmed on location in Newfoundland, which had begun as a Paramount Pictures project. After that he was very active for the next two years but his roles were unremarkable. He was featured in Our Betters (1933), Murder on the Campus (1933). and in his most charming role as a young doctor named Orion in "Along Came Love", with the vivacious co-star Irene Hervey. Offscreen, he helped organize the Screen Actors Guild.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Charles Starrett reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Western
The majority of Charles Starrett's filmography leans towards the Western genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 20% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Charles Starrett remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Charles Starrett Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Charles Starrett's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Charles Starrett.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Junction City | Steve Rollins / Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Rough, Tough West | Steve Holden / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Hawk of Wild River | Steve Martin / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Smoky Canyon | Steve "The Durango Kid" Brent | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Pecos River | Steve Baldwin / The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Bonanza Town | Steve Ramsay / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Trail of the Rustlers | Steve Armitage / The Durango Kid | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Laramie | Steve Holden / Durango Kid | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Challenge of the Range | Steve Roper / The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | Quick on the Trigger | Sheriff Steve Warren / Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Trail to Laredo | Steve Ellison aka The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | Whirlwind Raiders | Steve Lanning / The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | West of Sonora | Steve Rollins / The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Riders of the Lone Star | Steve Mason / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Stranger From Ponca City | Steve Larkin / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Two-Fisted Stranger | Steve Gordon / The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Galloping Thunder | Steve Reynolds / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Gunning for Vengeance | Steve Landry / The Durango Kid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | Texas Panhandle | Steve Buckner / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Blazing the Western Trail | Jeff Waring / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Both Barrels Blazing | Kip Allen / The Durango Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Return of the Durango Kid | Bill Blayden / The Durango Kid | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Outlaws of the Panhandle | Jim Endicott | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Durango Kid | Bill Lowry | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Start Cheering | Ted Crosley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | One Man Justice | Larry Clarke / Ted Crockett | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Along Came Love | John Patrick O'Ryan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | So Red the Rose | George McGehee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Make a Million | Professor Reginald Q. Jones | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | One in a Million | Donald Cabot Jr. | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | A Shot in the Dark | Kenneth 'Ken' Harris | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Silver Streak | Tom Caldwell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Sons of Steel | Phillip Mason Chadburne | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Gentlemen Are Born | Stephen Hornblow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Desirable | Russell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Call It Luck | Stan Russell | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Green Eyes | Michael Tracy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | This Man Is Mine | Jud McCrae | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Murder on the Campus | Bill Bartlett | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Mr. Skitch | Harvey Denby | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Return of Casey Jones | Jim Martin | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Our Betters | Fleming Harvey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | Jungle Bride | Gordon Wayne | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Mask of Fu Manchu | Terence Granville | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Lady and Gent | Ted Streaver | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Silence | Arthur Lawrence | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Viking | Luke Oarum | Flop | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Royal Family of Broadway | Perry | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Quarterback | Football Player (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Charles Starrett - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Charles Starrett?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Charles Starrett is "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Charles Starrett acted in?
Charles Starrett has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Charles Starrett?
Other notable films include "The Return of the Durango Kid", "Silence", and "Desirable".




