Jim Kalafat-Starr
Born (1962-02-21) February 21, 1962
Great Falls, Montana, US
Nationality United States
Other namesLaser
EducationMontana State University (B.S)
Occupation(s)Ex-professional athlete and product development (nutraceuticals)
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
SpouseTonya Smith
Children3
ParentKathy & Ron Kalafat
Websitehttp://www.jimkalafat.com/

Jim Kalafat (also known as Jim Starr) is an American athlete, actor, and producer. Under the stage name Laser, he competed as a gladiator on the American TV show American Gladiators from 1989 to 1996.

Early life and education

Jim was born in Great Falls,[1] Montana, on February 21, 1962. He graduated from CM Russell High School.[1] In 1986, he graduated from Montana State University,[2] with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and health K-12, with a minor in nutrition.

Career

Football

Jim was an all-state running back in 1979.[3] In 1980, he was recruited to play in the offensive backfield at the Bobcats’ of Montana State, however. In 1982, he was moved to linebacker.[4] He held the Bobcats’ top two single-season tackles marks. Kalafat also has MSU's single-game record of 30 tackles (against Nevada in 1983), as well as games of 29, 28, and 26 tackles, and ranks fifth in program history in career tackles (380).[3] In 1984, Jim started his career in professional football in the National Football League (NFL), and later spent time in the Canadian Football League (CFL).[3][4][5] He was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984, played one game for the Toronto Argonauts in 1985, and had a one-game stint as a replacement player for the Los Angeles Rams in 1987.[6][7]

Kalafat had a career-ending injury in 1987.[1][3][4][5]

American Gladiator

In 1989, he was selected as ‘Laser’ in the American television series, ‘American Gladiators’. He remained in the show for all seasons, till 1996, when the show ended.[2][8]

Corporate

In 2000, he entered the corporate world by joining Apex Fitness Group, as the Brand Manager. In 2008, he became Vice President at dotFIT, LLC. In May 2013, he founded Sports Nutrition Consulting Group and remains its president.

In 2015, he started to work at Life Time Fitness, as the Director of Nutritional Products. In 2018, he switched to ProForm Laboratories as an Account Service Specialist. He became the Director of Product Development at The Grind, in 2020. In 2021, he started his work at Opsis Health, as Wellness Executive.

Films

In 1989, he acted in two movies: ‘Deadly Breed’ and ‘Road House’.

Documentary

He was featured in a five-part documentary series on Netflix, titled "Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators".[1][8]

Awards and achievements

  • Kalafat held the single-game and single-season tackle records at Montana State University,[1] in 1983.[3]
  • In 1986, earned the bodybuilding title of Mr. Montana.[5]
  • In 2023, he was nominated and selected to the CMR Legends Hall of Fame.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Great Falls native, former MSU Bobcat Jim Kalafat featured in American Gladiators docuseries on Netflix". MontanaSports.com (MTSPX). 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  2. 1 2 "Jim Kalafat: From the gridiron to American Gladiators". MontanaSports.com (MTSPX). 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "#MTTop40: Jim Kalafat became a record-setting star on Montana State's defense". MontanaSports.com (MTSPX). 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  4. 1 2 3 "BOBCATS 125: Jim Kalafat". Montana State University Athletics. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  5. 1 2 3 "Laser (Jim Starr) | American Gladiators | GladiatorsTV.com". Gladiators. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  6. ↑ "Jim Kalafat Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  7. ↑ "Jim Kalafat NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives.
  8. 1 2 "Sex, drugs and steroids: 'Muscles & Mayhem' covers 'American Gladiators' pain and parties". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
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