Most people only know Anthony Starr because of *The Boys*. Here’s the interesting part.
If that’s you, you’ve seen him on TV for maybe ten minutes a week, screaming about a pig. Oddly enough,
But take a step back. Now think about that for a second.
The guy has been haunting our screens for over twenty years.
I actually watched an old episode of Xena: Warrior Princess recently, just to see what he was doing before he was a super-villain.
It’s wild to see him as Ares, this chaotic god of war, and realize that Homelander isn’t a stretch for him.
It’s a performance style.
From what I’ve seen in interviews and his filmography, there’s a lot of nuance that gets missed when people just call him “the crazy guy with the cape.” He’s a Kiwi actor who basically built his career on playing intense, powerful men who don’t always play by the rules.
The ‘Homelander’ Effect: Why We Can’t Look Away
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Everyone talks about Homelander like he’s a real person now.
And honestly, it’s because Anthony Starr nails it.
There’s a specific kind of quiet menace in his eyes.
In The Boys, the show does a great job of keeping you guessing. Here’s the interesting part.
Is he going to save the day or just snap? The writers do that a lot, but Anthony carries the weight of it.
He makes you feel uncomfortable.
I think that’s why the character is so popular.
He’s not a classic mustache-twirler. And this is where things get interesting.
He’s charming, he’s articulate, and then—boom—he destroys a building.
It’s a terrifying combo.
Is he the best superhero villain?
Some critics say yes.
He’s basically a reflection of toxic masculinity, but played with such confidence that you almost believe he’s the hero.
He doesn’t doubt himself, which makes him dangerous.
Before The Boys: Xena and the Early Days
If you dig into his past, you’ll find that Anthony Starr has actually been playing these intense roles for ages.
His breakout was definitely as Ares in Xena: Warrior Princess.
And this is where things get interesting.
He was there for a few seasons.
You’d see him popping up in New Zealand, shaking up the status quo.
It was a great role for him because it let him be a bit more comedic and chaotic.
It shows he has range.
He wasn’t just a serious dramatic actor back then; he was a bit of a lovable rogue.
Then came Battlestar Galactica (2004). But there’s a catch.
I know, I know.
Everyone loves Starbuck.
But Anthony Starr had a role there too. But there’s a catch.
He played Fulfil 207, a Number Eight Cylon.
It wasn’t a lead role, but it was his first major sci-fi credit in the US market.
The ‘Minor Report’ Turn and Career Stalling
After *Battlestar*, he did Minority Report.
You know, the Tom Cruise movie? He played Arthur Klipse.
It was a pretty small part, but it got him on the radar of Hollywood producers.
Oddly enough,
But here’s the thing about Anthony Starr: he turned down a lot of offers to stay in New Zealand.
A lot of people in the industry respect that.
It’s rare for an actor to stay in their home country for so long and still become an international star.
Anthony Starr Martial Arts and Physicality
You can’t play Homelander or Ares without being able to move.
Anthony Starr is a black belt in Shotokan Karate.
That’s a big deal.
It explains why his fight scenes in Xena and The Boys look so good.
He doesn’t look like he’s flailing around; he has training.
He knows where his center of gravity is.
And this is where things get interesting.
- Shotokan Karate: His main martial art background.
- Stunt Work: He does most of his own stunts, which saves the production money but keeps the actors safe.
- Physicality: He’s built like a tank, which helps sell the superhero physique.
A Look at Anthony Starr’s Personal Life
What about the guy behind the cape? Anthony is actually pretty private. Oddly enough,
He’s married to a woman named Danny Sapani, and they have two kids.
He lives in New Zealand.
He actually turned down a massive role in a Marvel movie a few years ago to stay with his family.
I know, right? Can you imagine Homelander in the MCU? That would be chaos.
Where to Watch Anthony Starr’s Best Movies
If you want to see him before he became a global icon, you can catch him in Xena on streaming platforms or the classic *Minority Report*.
But if you want to see the evolution of the actor, you really have to check out The Boys.
It’s dark, it’s violent, and Anthony is absolutely electric in it.
He’s the anchor of the show.
Final Thoughts on Anthony Starr
I think we’re going to be talking about Anthony Starr for a long time.
He’s the type of actor who disappears into a role.
Whether he’s playing a Greek god or a suburban dad gone rogue, he owns the screen.
It’s a shame he’s not in more movies, but honestly, the TV landscape is where he shines. Oddly enough,
He understands the medium.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com
