Todd Starke was an American actor whose name is closely associated with classic television, particularly The Doris Day Show. Born Todd Thomas Starke on December 19, 1961, in Los Angeles, California, he began working on screen while he was still young. His documented acting credits include The Second Hundred Years, The Doris Day Show, Angel in My Pocket, and Adam-12. He was also credited as a performer on The Doris Day Show.
Starke’s most substantial television role came on The Doris Day Show, where he played Toby Martin under the credit name “Tod Starke.” IMDb currently lists him in 77 episodes of the series between 1968 and 1971.
His career, however, was cut short by his death on May 4, 1983, in Los Angeles. He was just 21 years old. IMDb records the cause of death as a motorcycle accident and notes that his motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, left the road, and struck a utility pole.
There’s considerably more information available about Starke’s professional work than his private life. For that reason, the most reliable Todd Starke biography focuses on the screen credits that can be documented while avoiding speculation about details that haven’t been established by trustworthy sources.
Todd Starke Quick Bio Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Todd Thomas Starke |
| Professional Name | Todd Starke |
| Alternative Credit | Tod Starke |
| Date Of Birth | December 19, 1961 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Profession | Actor |
| Best-Known Role | Toby Martin |
| Main Television Series | The Doris Day Show |
| The Doris Day Show Credit | 77 Episodes |
| The Second Hundred Years Role | Gregory |
| Angel In My Pocket Role | Dink |
| Adam-12 Role | Danny |
| Acting Productions Listed By TV Guide | 4 |
| Soundtrack Credit | The Doris Day Show |
| Date Of Death | May 4, 1983 |
| Place Of Death | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Age At Death | 21 |
| Cause Of Death | Motorcycle Accident |
IMDb identifies Starke’s birth and death details, alternative name, acting credits, and soundtrack work, while TV Guide lists four acting productions.
When And Where Was Todd Starke Born?
Todd Starke was born on December 19, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. His birth name was Todd Thomas Starke, according to IMDb’s biographical record.
Los Angeles was already a major center of American film and television production during Starke’s childhood. Still, there’s no reliable evidence in the sources reviewed that explains precisely how he entered show business or whether his family had connections to the entertainment industry.
That distinction is important when researching a lesser-known performer. A biography can be useful without filling gaps in the historical record with assumptions. In Starke’s case, his birth information and professional credits are well documented, while much of his early personal life remains unknown.
What Is Known About Todd Starke’s Childhood?
Public records contain surprisingly little information about Todd Starke’s childhood beyond his birth details and his early work as an actor. IMDb identifies him as an actor born in Los Angeles, but it doesn’t provide a detailed account of his parents, siblings, education, hobbies, or family life.
What the available record does show is that Starke began appearing professionally while he was young. His earliest documented screen work dates to the late 1960s, when he was still a child. From there, he moved into a recurring television role and later appeared in both television and film.
It’s tempting to look for a complete childhood story when researching an actor, but there’s no dependable source for many of those details in Starke’s case. Keeping the distinction between documented information and unanswered questions makes his biography more accurate and useful.
How Did Todd Starke Begin His Acting Career?
Todd Starke’s documented acting career took shape during the late 1960s. TV Guide lists four acting productions for him: The Second Hundred Years, The Doris Day Show, Angel in My Pocket, and Adam-12.
His work began with television before expanding into film. IMDb identifies his role as Gregory in The Second Hundred Years, followed by his much larger association with The Doris Day Show. He later played Dink in Angel in My Pocket and Danny in Adam-12.
These credits offer a useful snapshot of a young actor working across different types of productions. They also show why Todd Starke actor searches tend to lead back to a relatively small group of classic television and film titles.
Todd Starke And The Second Hundred Years
One of Todd Starke’s earliest documented screen credits was The Second Hundred Years, an American television series that aired during the late 1960s. IMDb lists Starke as Gregory, with the credit appearing in 1968.
The series had an unusual premise. It followed a man who was revived after decades of accidental suspended animation and found himself physically much younger than his own son. That made the show a distinctive entry in the television landscape of its era.
Starke’s part was not a leading role, and the available records don’t provide enough information to make broader claims about the size or importance of his appearance. Nevertheless, the credit is significant because it belongs to the earliest documented stage of his acting career.
Todd Starke On The Doris Day Show
The role that defined Todd Starke’s television career was Toby Martin on The Doris Day Show. IMDb credits him as “Tod Starke” and currently lists 77 episodes between 1968 and 1971.
The series starred Doris Day as Doris Martin and ran on television from 1968 to 1973. Starke played one of the young members of the Martin family, appearing alongside performers including Philip Brown and Denver Pyle. IMDb’s cast records identify him specifically as Toby Martin.
His recurring presence made The Doris Day Show the most substantial entry in the Todd Starke filmography. Rather than being a one-episode guest performer, he was part of the show’s recurring cast during its early years.
The episode records also preserve a number of his appearances. IMDb, for example, credits him as Toby Martin in episodes including “A Frog Called Harold,” “Buck’s Girl,” “Dinner for Mom,” and “The Antique.”
Why Was Toby Martin Important To His Career?
Playing Toby Martin gave Starke a much more sustained television presence than his other documented acting roles. His character was part of the Martin family at the center of the show’s early stories, which allowed viewers to see him across multiple episodes and seasons.
IMDb’s records show that Starke was credited as Toby Martin throughout the period from 1968 to 1971. Some episode listings identify him as “Tod Starke,” while others indicate that his role was a credit-only appearance.
That variation is worth noting when researching older television credits. The name “Todd Starke” isn’t the only form under which his work appears. IMDb lists Tod Starke as an alternative name, so searches using both versions can help readers find the relevant records.
Todd Starke In Angel In My Pocket
Todd Starke also worked in feature film. IMDb credits him as Dink in Angel in My Pocket, a 1969 movie starring Andy Griffith. TV Guide includes the film among Starke’s four acting credits.
The movie follows a minister and his family as they move to a small town, where he attempts to gain the trust of his new congregation. Starke’s role gave him an opportunity to work outside the television environment in which most of his documented career was based.
Although Angel in My Pocket isn’t as closely associated with Starke as The Doris Day Show, it’s an important part of his documented professional history. Leaving it out would give an incomplete picture of his screen work.
Todd Starke And Adam-12
Another notable entry in the Todd Starke TV shows record is Adam-12. IMDb credits him as Danny in one episode from 1971. TV Guide also lists Adam-12 among his four acting credits.
Adam-12 was a police drama centered on two Los Angeles police officers and their patrol work. The series provided a very different setting from the family sitcom environment of The Doris Day Show.
Starke’s appearance as Danny is a smaller credit than his work as Toby Martin, but it’s still valuable when reconstructing his career. It demonstrates that his documented television work extended beyond one series and included different genres.
What Was Todd Starke’s Complete Filmography?
The major records reviewed for this article identify four acting productions associated with Todd Starke: The Second Hundred Years, The Doris Day Show, Angel in My Pocket, and Adam-12. TV Guide independently lists those four acting credits.
IMDb provides the corresponding roles as Gregory, Toby Martin, Dink, and Danny.
There is also another part of his professional record that’s easy to overlook. IMDb lists Starke as a performer on The Doris Day Show soundtrack, including performances of “Jingle Bells,” “Silver Bells,” and “Silent Night” in episodes from 1969 and 1970.
That means his surviving professional record isn’t limited strictly to acting. However, the four productions listed by TV Guide remain the clearest summary of his acting filmography.
How Long Did Todd Starke Act?
The documented portion of Todd Starke’s acting career stretches from the late 1960s through 1971. His earliest listed work is The Second Hundred Years, while his latest documented acting credit is Adam-12 in 1971.
That doesn’t necessarily mean he stopped acting in 1971. A database record can only show the credits that have been documented there, and the available sources don’t establish that Starke formally retired from acting at that time.
What can be said with confidence is that his best-documented professional period was concentrated in his childhood and early teenage years. During that time, he secured a recurring role on a network sitcom and added a feature film and another television drama to his résumé.
What Is Known About Todd Starke’s Personal Life?
The public record contains far more information about Todd Starke’s acting work than his life away from the screen. His major biographical records establish his full name, birth details, occupation, credits, and death, but they don’t provide reliable information about his parents, siblings, education, marriage, children, or romantic relationships.
For that reason, those areas shouldn’t be filled with speculation. It’s better to tell readers that the information isn’t available than to repeat claims that can’t be traced to a credible source.
This is especially relevant for an article about a relatively obscure actor. The absence of personal information doesn’t diminish his career; it simply means that his surviving public record is primarily professional.
Todd Starke’s Final Years
There’s a significant gap between Todd Starke’s last documented acting credit in 1971 and his death in 1983. The sources reviewed don’t provide a reliable account of what he did during those years.
As a result, it wouldn’t be accurate to say that he continued acting, retired from Hollywood, or pursued another particular career unless additional evidence emerges.
What is known is that Starke was only 21 when he died. By that point, his surviving screen credits already included a recurring television role and appearances in both a feature film and another television series. His later life, however, remains largely undocumented in the sources available today.
How Did Todd Starke Die?
Todd Starke died on May 4, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. IMDb identifies a motorcycle accident as the cause of death. Its biographical record provides the additional detail that his motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, left the road, and struck a utility pole.
He was 21 years old.
The available source doesn’t provide further verified information about the precise location of the crash, road conditions, speed, or other circumstances. Those details shouldn’t be added without supporting documentation.
The facts that can be established are enough: Starke died in Los Angeles in a motorcycle accident at just 21, bringing a young life to an early end.
How Old Was Todd Starke When He Died?
Todd Starke was 21 years old when he died. He was born on December 19, 1961, and died on May 4, 1983, several months before his 22nd birthday. IMDb records his age at death as 21.
That age puts his acting career into perspective. Most of his known work came when he was still a child, particularly through The Doris Day Show, where he played Toby Martin over several seasons.
His death also leaves an unavoidable question about what might have followed. But there’s no reliable way to answer that question. The most respectful approach is to focus on the career he actually had rather than speculate about the career he might have pursued.
Todd Starke’s Legacy In Television
Todd Starke’s best-preserved connection to television remains The Doris Day Show. IMDb credits him as Toby Martin in 77 episodes between 1968 and 1971, giving him a substantial recurring presence in the series.
His other credits add important context. The Second Hundred Years represents an early television appearance, Angel in My Pocket shows his work in feature film, and Adam-12 demonstrates another television role in a very different genre. TV Guide’s listing of the same four acting productions supports the basic outline of his filmography.
His professional record is modest compared with that of many actors, but it isn’t insignificant. The episodes of The Doris Day Show in which he appeared have preserved his work for later generations, allowing viewers and researchers to trace a young actor’s contribution to a popular television series.
Todd Starke’s Life And Career In Perspective
The story of Todd Starke is ultimately a brief one, but the surviving record gives us a clear outline of his professional life. Born in Los Angeles in 1961, he began acting as a child and became best known for playing Toby Martin on The Doris Day Show. His other documented acting credits include The Second Hundred Years, Angel in My Pocket, and Adam-12.
IMDb also records soundtrack performances connected with The Doris Day Show, adding another dimension to his work during those years.
What remains unknown is just as important to acknowledge. There isn’t enough reliable public information to reconstruct his family life, education, relationships, or activities during the years between his acting credits and his death. Rather than turning those gaps into speculation, a responsible biography should leave them open.
Todd Starke died on May 4, 1983, at 21, after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles. His career was short, but his performance as Toby Martin ensured that his name remained part of the record of classic American television.
For readers discovering Todd Starke today, his story offers a glimpse into the young performers who helped populate American television during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His surviving credits may be limited, but they’re a lasting record of the work he completed during his brief career.
Conclusion
Todd Starke’s life and career may have been brief, but his work left a lasting record in classic American television. Best known for playing Toby Martin on The Doris Day Show, he also appeared in The Second Hundred Years, Angel in My Pocket, and Adam-12. His documented credits show the promise of a young actor who began working professionally at an early age.
Starke was born in Los Angeles on December 19, 1961, and died there on May 4, 1983, at just 21 years old. His death in a motorcycle accident brought an early end to a life that had already included several memorable screen appearances.
Although much of his personal life remains undocumented, the surviving record allows Todd Starke to be remembered for the work he completed. His role as Toby Martin, in particular, continues to connect his name with an important period in American television history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Todd Starke
Who Was Todd Starke?
Todd Starke was an American actor born in Los Angeles, California, on December 19, 1961. His birth name was Todd Thomas Starke. He became best known for playing Toby Martin on The Doris Day Show.
What Was Todd Starke’s Most Famous Role?
His most substantial documented role was Toby Martin on The Doris Day Show. IMDb lists Starke in 77 episodes from 1968 through 1971, with the actor credited as “Tod Starke.”
What Movies And TV Shows Did Todd Starke Appear In?
Todd Starke’s four documented acting productions are The Second Hundred Years, The Doris Day Show, Angel in My Pocket, and Adam-12. His listed roles were Gregory, Toby Martin, Dink, and Danny, respectively. TV Guide independently lists the same four acting credits.
What Was Todd Starke’s Birth Name?
His birth name was Todd Thomas Starke. IMDb also lists Tod Starke as an alternative name used in his professional credits.
When Did Todd Starke Die?
Todd Starke died on May 4, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. He was 21 years old.
How Did Todd Starke Die?
According to IMDb, Todd Starke died in a motorcycle accident. The biography states that his motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, left the road, and struck a utility pole.
How Old Was Todd Starke When He Died?
Todd Starke was 21 years old when he died. He was born on December 19, 1961, and died on May 4, 1983.
Is Much Known About Todd Starke’s Personal Life?
Only limited information about his private life is available from the major sources reviewed. His professional record is considerably more detailed than his personal biography. Information about his parents, siblings, education, relationships, marriage, and children isn’t sufficiently documented in those sources, so such details shouldn’t be presented as established facts.
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