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Jim Kalafat

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Jim Kalafat-Starr
Born (1962-02-21) February 21, 1962 (age 62)
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

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Kalafat 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]

Career

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Football

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Kalafat 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 but was released on August 13, 1984. He 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

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In 1989, he was selected as 'Laser' in the American television series, American Gladiators. He debuted in the second half of the first season and remained until 1996, when the show ended.[2][8]

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

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  • 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

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