Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940), better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in August 1962, taking the place of Pete Best. In addition to his contribution as drummer, Starr featured as lead vocals on a number of successful Beatles songs (in particular, "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Yellow Submarine", and The Beatles version of "Act Naturally"), as co-writer with the song "What Goes On" and primary writer with "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden". As drummer for The Beatles, Starr was musically creative, and his contribution to the band's music has received high praise from notable drummers in more recent times. Starr described himself as "your basic offbeat drummer with funny fills", technically limited by being a left-handed person playing a right-handed kit. Drummer Steve Smith said that Starr's popularity "brought forth a new paradigm" where "we started to see the drummer as an equal participant in the compositional aspect" and that Starr "composed unique, stylistic drum parts for The Beatles songs". In 2011, Starr was picked as the fifth-best drummer of all-time by Rolling Stone readers, behind drummers such as John Bonham, Keith Moon and Neil Peart. Starr is the most documented and critically acclaimed actor-Beatle, playing a central role in several Beatles films, and appearing in numerous other movies, both during and after his career with The Beatles. After The Beatles' break-up in 1970, Starr achieved solo musical success with several singles and albums, and recorded with each of his fellow ex-Beatles as they too developed their post-Beatle musical careers. He has also been featured in a number of TV documentaries, hosted TV shows, and narrated the first two series of the children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. He currently tours with the All-Starr Band.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Ringo & Friends at the Ryman as Self
- 2023 · Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song as Self
- 2023 · Reinventing Elvis: The 68' Comeback as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Paul Newman: The Restless as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Louder Than Rock as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self
- 2021 · What Drives Us as Self
- 2020 · Meeting the Beatles in India as Self
- 2019 · Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Echo in the Canyon as Self
- 2018 · Take Your Pills as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Beyond as Self
- 2016 · Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words as Larry the Dwarf (archive footage)
- 2014 · The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles as Self
- 2014 · The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed as Fibonacci Sequins (voice)
- 2012 · Produced By George Martin as Self
- 2012 · The Winged Beetle as Self
- 2010 · Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · Oh My God as Self
- 2007 · Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream as Self
- 2006 · Doctor Who: Origins as Self (archive footage)
- 2005 · The Beatles: Love Me Do - A Documentary as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Concert for George as Self
- 2002 · Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S. as Self (archive footage)
- 1999 · Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales as Self - The Beatles (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1999 · Television: The First Fifty Years as Self – The Beatles (archive footage)
- 1985 · An Audience with Billy Connolly as Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
- 1984 · Give My Regards to Broad Street as Ringo
- 1983 · Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars as Self (uncredited)
- 1981 · This Is Elvis as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1979 · The Who: The Kids Are Alright as Himself
- 1978 · Ringo as Ringo Starr / Ognir Rrats
- 1978 · Sextette as Laslo Karolny
- 1977 · The Day the Music Died as Self
- 1974 · The Society of the Spectacle as Self (archive footage)
- 1971 · Blindman as Candy
- 1971 · 200 Motels as Larry the Dwarf / Frank Zappa
- 1971 · The Point as Narrator / Father (home video release) (voice)
- Future · High in the Clouds as Roy (voice)
- 2025 · TWST / Things We Said Today as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · Beatles '64 as Self
- 2024 · Larger than Life: Reign of the Boybands as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · The Beach Boys as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · The Lost Weekend: A Love Story as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · If These Walls Could Sing as Self
- 2022 · The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Rat Pack as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · The Beatles: Get Back as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · The Beatles and India as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · McCartney 3, 2, 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · The Sparks Brothers as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2021 · The Beatles: Let It Be as
- 2021 · This Is Pop as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Zappa as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Mae West: Dirty Blonde as Self
- 2019 · Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 2 as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Elvis Presley: The Searcher as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars as Self
- 2018 · George Harrison - All Things Pass as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · How the Beatles Changed the World as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Sgt Pepper's Musical Revolution as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Free to Rock as Self - The Beatles (archive footage)
- 2016 · The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years as Self
- 2016 · Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping as Ringo Starr
- 2016 · Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape as Self (archive footage)
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- 2015 · In Their Own Words as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Beatles på Sverigeturné as Self (archive footage)
- 2013 · Good Ol' Freda as Self
- 2012 · Palme as
- 2011 · George Harrison: Living in the Material World as Self
- 2011 · Beatles Stories as Self (archive footage)
- 2011 · I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · Conan as Self
- 2010 · The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · Paul McCartney Really Is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · John Lennon: Love Is All You Need as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · The Beatles: Here There and Everywhere as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · Live from the Artists Den as Self
- 2009 · The Beatles: Parting Ways as Self
- 2008 · Rare and Unseen: The Beatles as Self (archive footage)
- 2007 · The Beatles: Help! as Self (archive footage)
- 2007 · The Beatles Explosion as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · The Beatles: Love as Self
- 2004 · 20th Century Greats as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Radio as Stinger the Mascot (uncredited)
- 2003 · Beatles: The Journey as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- 2002 · Naqoyqatsi as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2002 · Pet Star as Self - Judge
- 2001 · Friday Night with Jonathan Ross as Self
- 1999 · The Early Show as Self
- 1997 · Paul McCartney: In the World Tonight as Self
- 1997 · Classic Albums as Self
- 1996 · The Daily Show as Self
- 1996 · The Beatles Story as Self (archive footage)
- 1995 · The Beatles Anthology as Self
- 1995 · The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show as
- 1994 · TOTP2 as Self
- 1993 · Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- 1992 · The Making of Sgt. Pepper as Self
- 1992 · The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as
- 1992 · Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories as Narrator (Voice)
- 1991 · The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit as Self (archive footage)
- 1990 · Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band as Self
- 1989 · The Simpsons as Ringo Starr (voice)
- 1989 · Shining Time Station as Mr. Conductor
- 1988 · One More Audience with Dame Edna Everage as Self (uncredited)
- 1988 · Imagine: John Lennon as Self
- 1988 · LIVE with Kelly and Mark as
- 1988 · Walking After Midnight as Self
- 1987 · Jimi Plays Monterey as Self (archive footage)
- 1987 · The Return of Bruno as Ringo Starr
- 1986 · American Masters as Self
- 1985 · Alice in Wonderland as Mock Turtle
- 1985 · Water as Himself - The Singing Rebels' Band
- 1984 · Thomas & Friends as Narrator (Voice)
- 1983 · Princess Daisy as Robin Valerian
- 1982 · The Compleat Beatles as Self (archive footage)
- 1982 · Timewatch as Self (archive footage)
- 1981 · Caveman as Atouk
- 1981 · Wetten, dass..? as Self
- 1978 · The Last Waltz as Self
- 1978 · I Wanna Hold Your Hand as Self (archive footage)
- 1978 · An Audience with... as Self
- 1977 · Please Turn the Page as Self
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Host
- 1975 · Lisztomania as The Pope
- 1973 · That'll Be The Day as Mike
- 1972 · Yoko Ono: This Is Not Here as Self
- 1972 · Weekend of a Champion as Self (uncredited)
- 1971 · V.I.P. Schaukel as Self
- 1970 · Treffpunkte as Self
- 1970 · Let It Be as Self - The Beatles (uncredited)
- 1969 · The Magic Christian as Youngman Grand, Esq.
- 1969 · Muhammad Ali, the Greatest as Self
- 1969 · Monty Python's Flying Circus as
- 1968 · Candy as Emmanuel
- 1968 · The Beatles Mod Odyssey as Self
- 1968 · Yellow Submarine as Ringo (uncredited)
- 1968 · Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In as Self
- 1968 · The Movie Orgy as Self (archive footage)
- 1967 · Magical Mystery Tour as Self / Talkative Magician
- 1967 · Omnibus as Self
- 1967 · Monument as Self (archive footage)
- 1966 · Reflections on Love as Self (archive footage)
- 1965 · The Beatles as Self (vocals musical segments) (uncredited)
- 1965 · Help! as Ringo
- 1965 · Doctor Who: The Chase as Self (archive footage)
- 1965 · Pop Gear as Self
- 1964 · A Hard Day's Night as Ringo
- 1964 · The Beatles: Live at the Washington Coliseum as Self
- 1964 · Top of the Pops as
- 1964 · Top of the Pops as Self
- 1961 · The Mike Douglas Show as Self
- 1961 · Morecambe & Wise as Self
- 1948 · The Ed Sullivan Show as Self
- Future · How much LSD did The Beatles do in the 1960s? as
- 2025 · The Beatles as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · The Bannfoot Ferry as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · The Beatles and the BBC as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock 'n' Roll as Self
- 2022 · Ringo Starr: One of Them as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · The Beatles – Ready Steady Go! as Self
- 2017 · Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions as Self - Musician (archive footage)
- 2017 · Året var 1967 as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Deconstructing the Beatles' White Album as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Beatles chronology (1962-1970) as Self (archive footage)
- 2015 · The Beatles 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 2015 · The Beatles 1+ as Self (archive footage)
- 2015 · Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self
- 2012 · Magical Mystery Tour Revisited as Self
- 2011 · The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 4 as Self (archive footage)
- 2011 · The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 2 as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · All You Need Is Klaus as Self
- 2010 · Thomas & Friends: The Greatest Stories as Narrator
- 2010 · David Wants to Fly as
- 2010 · A Concert by the Lake as Himself
- 2010 · The Beatles: The Complete Story as Self (Archive Footage)
- 2009 · The Beatles: The Mini Documentaries as Self
- 2008 · All Together Now as Self
- 2008 · Classic Albums: John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band as Self
- 2008 · Composing the Beatles Songbook: Lennon & McCartney 1966-1970 as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · The Beatles: Turn Left at Greenland as self
- 2007 · The Beatles: Destination Hamburg as Self (archive footage)
- 2007 · Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who as Self
- 2005 · The Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontent as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · Beatles Biggest Secrets as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · Brian Epstein: Inside the Fifth Beatle as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Inside John Lennon - Unauthorized as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · The Beatles: Around the World as Self (archive footage)
- 2002 · Elvis: King of Entertainment as Self (archive footage)
- 1994 · The Beatles In Australia: 30th Anniversary as Self (archive footage)
- 1992 · Holiday Greetings from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' as Self (archive footage)
- 1985 · Carl Perkins & Friends: Blue Suede Shoes - A Rockabilly Session as Self
- 1982 · Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers! as Self (archive footage)
- 1979 · Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip as Self
- 1979 · Paul McCartney & Wings: Wings Over the World as Self
- 1977 · The Beatles at Shea Stadium as Self
- 1974 · Braverman's Condensed Cream of the Beatles as Self (archive footage)
- 1974 · Son of Dracula as Merlin, the Magician
- 1972 · The Concert for Bangladesh as Self
- 1969 · The Beatles - The Get Back Chronicles 1969 Volume One as Self (archive footage)
- 1969 · The Beatles - The Get Back Chronicles 1969 Volume Three as Self (archive footage)
- 1967 · Our World as Self
- 1966 · El Rey en Londres as Self (archive footage)
- 1965 · The Beatles: Live in Paris as Self
- 1964 · What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA as Self - The Beatles Member
- 1963 · The Beatles Come to Town as Self
- 1963 · The Mersey Sound as Self
- Future · Shed 17 as Edward (archive footage)
- 2012 · Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO as Self
- 2008 · Composing the Beatles Songbook: Lennon and McCartney 1957 - 1965 as Self (Archive Footage)
- 2005 · The Beatles: Chronology Vol. 1 y 2 as Self - Drums, Backing Vocals
- 2004 · Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band: Tour 2003 as Self
- 2003 · The Beatles - Trilogy as Himself
- 2002 · Things They Said Today as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · Beatles: Big Beat Box as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · The Best of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band So Far... as Himself
- 1996 · The Beatles Unauthorized as Self (archive footage)
- 1995 · You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' as Self
- 1986 · Fun with the Fab Four as Self (archive footage)
- 1986 · Rock 'N' Roll Goldmine: The Sixties as Self
- 1985 · The Making of Sun City as Self
- 1982 · The Cooler as Prisoner / Cowboy
- 1969 · 24 Hours: The World of John and Yoko as Self (archive footage)
- 1969 · The Beatles - The Get Back Chronicles 1969 Volume Two as Self (archive footage)
- 1969 · Beatles Electroniques as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1967 · All You Need Is Love as Self
- 1966 · The Beatles in Japan as Self - Drums, Backing Vocals
- 1965 · The Music of Lennon & McCartney as Self (archive footage)
- 1965 · The Beatles - Live at Ed Sullivan Show as
- 1964 · Around the Beatles as Self
- 1964 · Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The Beatles in New York as Self (archive footage)
- 1963 · The Beatles - Live at The Empire Theatre Liverpool as
- Future · The Beatles: Their Golden Age as Self
- 2025 · Down The Mine: The Pilot Episode as Narrator (voice)
- 2023 · Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex as Self
- 2022 · Let There Be Drums! as Self
- 2022 · Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band: Live at the Greek Theater 2019 as Himself
- 2022 · The Beatles: 1964 US Tour Reconstruction as
- 2020 · Jealous Guy: The Assassination of John Lennon as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Paul McCartney: Wings of a Beatle as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Understanding Lennon/McCartney as Self (archival footage)
- 2015 · The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One as Self (archive footage)
- 2012 · Genius as Self (archive footage)
- 2012 · Becoming the Beatles as Self
- 2011 · The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 3 as Self (archive footage)
- 2011 · The Beatles - Unsurpassed Promos as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · The Beatles: A Magical History Tour as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · The Beatles: Fifty Fabulous Years as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need Medley as Thomas the Tank Engine (voice)
- 2009 · The Beatles on Record as Self
- 2006 · To John With Love as Self
- 2006 · Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer as Self
- 2004 · The Beatles: Watching Rainbows as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · Wingspan as Self (archive footage)
- 1997 · Happy Birthday to John as Self
- 1996 · Alf Bicknell's Beatles Diary as Self (archive footage)
- 1993 · Ready Steady Go! The Beatles Live as Self
- 1990 · Shining Time Station: 'Tis a Gift as Mr. Conductor
- 1985 · British Rock: The First Wave as Self (archive footage)
- 1977 · Mighty Good: The Beatles as Self
- 1971 · Frank Zappa filmt 200 Motels as Self
- Future · The Beatles - In Germany 24-26 June, 1966 as Self
- 1987 · Video From Hell as Self
- 1969 · Will the Real Mr Sellers.....? as
- 1969 · The Beatles: Something as Self
- 1969 · The Beatles - Abbey Road as Self - Drums
- 1969 · Abbey Road as Self (audio)
- 1968 · The Beatles: Revolution as Self
- 1968 · The Beatles: Hey Jude as Self
- 1966 · Beatles - Tokyo, Japan 66 as Self
- 1966 · The Beatles: Live at Circus-Krone-Bau, Munich, Germany as Self - The Beatles
- 1964 · The Beatles Sing for Shell as Self
- Future · The Beatles - 1967-1970 as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show as Self - Host
- 2020 · Understanding McCartney as Self
- 2015 · Our Cilla as
- 2014 · Ringo Starr: A Lifetime of Peace and Love as Self
- 2013 · Ringo at the Ryman as himself
- 2013 · Året var 1963 as Self (archive footage)
- 2011 · The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 1990 · Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Tricked as Narrator
- Future · The Beatles are Coming as
- 2016 · Jim Carter: Lonnie Donegan and Me as Self
- 2012 · The Beatles: In Chicago 1964-1966 as Self
- 2010 · Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Live at the Greek Theater as Self
- 2010 · Ringo Starr 70th Birthday Bash Radio City NYC 7-07-10 as
- 2010 · Thomas & Friends - The Best of Thomas as Narrator
- 2008 · Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band Live 2006 as Self
- 2008 · Ringo Starr: Off the Record as Self
- 2005 · George Harrison & Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited as Self
- 2005 · Ringo Starr and the Roundheads - Live as himself
- 2001 · Thomas & Friends: Best of Percy as Narrator
- 2001 · The Paranormal Peter Sellers as Self (Archive footage)
- 1999 · The Beatles: A Celebration as Self (archive footage)
- 1998 · Ringo Starr And His Fourth All Starr Band as Self
- 1998 · Ringo Starr: VH1 Storytellers as Self
- 1993 · Ringo Starr Going Home as Self - Host
- 1993 · A Life of Extravaganza - The Genius Frank Zappa as Self (archive footage)
- 1992 · George Harrison: Live at The Royal Albert Hall as
- 1991 · Thomas & Friends: Better Late Than Never as Narrator
- 1990 · Thomas & Friends: Tenders & Turntables as Narrator
- 1990 · Thomas & Friends: Thomas Breaks the Rules as Narrator
- 1990 · Thomas & Friends: James Learns a Lesson as Narrator (voice)
- 1988 · The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels as Self
- 1985 · Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends as Narrator
- 1985 · Willie and The Poor Boys - The Movie as The Janitor
- 1982 · Paul McCartney - Take It Away as
- 1973 · Marc Bolan & T. Rex - Born to Boogie as Self
- 1972 · Did Somebody Drop His Mouse? as Himself
- 1971 · Cilla in Scandinavia as Self
- 1964 · The Beatles: Live in The Netherlands as Self
- 1964 · The Beatles in Australia as Self