While he is best known as the drummer for The Beatles, Ringo Starr has always had a hand in the movie industry. Primarily, he has served as a financier and backer for filmmakers. However, he has also appeared in some movies throughout his career, including an obscure 1980s comedy film that features dinosaurs that more people need to see.

Released in 1981 by director Carl Gottlieb, one of the screenwriters for Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, Ringo Starr starred in the 1981 slapstick comedy movie Caveman. As the тιтle suggests, this film takes place in the prehistoric era, with Starr playing one member of a tribe of cavemen as he takes a leadership stance to ensure their survival.

Caveman Is A Hilarious Prehistoric Comedy Film That Stars Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr Plays A Caveman

Ringo Starr portrays Atouk in Caveman, a scrawny but smart caveman living in “One Zillion BC – October 9th.” He falls for Lana, a beautiful woman (Starr’s real-life wife, Barbara Bach) who is the mate of the tribe leader, Tonda (John Matuszak, who played Sloth in The Goonies). This action results in him being banished, along with his best friend, Lar (a young Dennis Quaid).

Once banished, he hooks up with a group of misfit cavemen and goes on adventures, facing dinosaurs and rescuing Lar from an oncoming ice age and a yeti. Joining him is the “comely” Tala (a pre-Cheers Shelley Long) and the blind Gog (Jack Gilford). With so many notable names in the cast, it is surprising that the movie remains mostly unknown to this day.

Caveman was a box office success when released, making $16 million on a $6.5 million budget (which totals to a domestic take of $64.9 million when adjusted for inflation). However, it received scathing reviews, with Roger Ebert calling it “interesting,” while saying there were moments worth watching (mostly the dinosaur scenes).

As for his memories of the movie, Ringo Starr admitted that it was when he met his wife, Barbara Bach. “I have a lot of great memories on that movie,” Starr remembered (via Hard Rock).

Other Good Movies That Ringo Starr Appeared In

Ringo Starr Produced & Starred In Several Movies

As mentioned, Ringo Starr has plenty of movie credits to his name, but most of them are in producer roles. Of course, The Beatles starred in several movies to promote their music. Starr not only starred in them as himself, but he also worked as the Director of PH๏τography for Magical Mystery Tour, which was an ill-fated film project.

With The Beatles, he appeared in A Hard Day’s Night (1964), Help! (1965), Magical Mystery Tour (1967), and Let It Be (1970). He also appeared in Candy (1968), The Magic Christian (1969), Blindman (1971), Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels, Son of Dracula (1974), and Caveman (1981).

In 1973, he also co-starred in the British movie That’ll Be the Day and then played the Pope in Ken Russell’s Lisztomania in 1975. Ringo Starr also played a fictionalized version of himself in Give My Regards to Broad Street in 1984.

Sources: Hard Rock