Todd Armstrong

Todd Armstrong (born John Harris Armstrong;[1] July 25, 1937 – November 17, 1992) was an American actor in ten films and several television series.

Todd Armstrong
In Jason and the Argonauts, 1963
Born
John Harris Armstrong

(1937-07-25)July 25, 1937
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedNovember 17, 1992(1992-11-17) (aged 55)
Butte, California, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
OccupationActor
Years active1961–1982
Known forJason and the Argonauts

He is probably best known for playing the titular role of Jason in the film Jason and the Argonauts (1963). He had also starred, during 1961, in the later segments of the syndicated crime drama Manhunt.

Early life

Todd Armstrong was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 25, 1937. His parents were Louise Armstrong (née McClelland) and Harris Armstrong (born 1899). Armstrong's father was born in St. Louis (Missouri) and a well-known architect who designed many civil landmarks in St. Louis, such as The Shanley Building at 7800 Maryland Avenue in Clayton. Its design won Armstrong the silver medal at the Paris Exposition of 1937.

In 1956, Armstrong graduated from Ladue High School, where one of his classmates was Auggie Busch, a great-grandson of Anheuser-Busch brewing magnate Adolphus Busch. He moved to California and trained drama at the prestigious acting school Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, where he changed his first name to Todd. He graduated in 1958 with classmates including Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.[2]

Career

Armstrong's parents supported him financially but after struggling a few years with no success landing acting roles, he took part-time work as a landscape gardener. During his time as a landscaper he was discovered by actress Gloria Henry, who played the mother on the Dennis the Menace television series. Henry learned of her gardener's acting aspirations and was impressed enough by Armstrong's good looks to arrange for him to get a screen test at Columbia Pictures, where she was under contract. He landed a supporting role in the third season of the television show Manhunt, playing Detective Carl Spencer in 13 episodes in the 1961 season. In 1962, Armstrong made his film debut with a small role in director Edward Dmytryk's drama Walk on the Wild Side, in which he was billed as "Todd Anderson".

His first starring role was the title character in Jason and the Argonauts (1963),[3] a mortal who betrays the god of Zeus in search of the golden fleece, but his voice was dubbed by British actor Tim Turner, since a majority of the cast were British. Armstrong had only one additional leading role, in the 1965 World War II film King Rat.

Death

In 1992, he suffered an injury while working, and soon became addicted to painkillers. After this, he committed suicide by shooting himself on November 17 of that same year. He was 55.

Filmography

Armstrong appeared in the following film and television roles:

- "9:12 to Dodge" (1968) television episode (as Johnny August)
- "The First People" (1968) television episode (as John Eagle Wing)
  • Nakia (1 television episode, 1974)
  • Hawaii Five-O as Curt Anderson (1 TV episode, 1975)
    a.k.a. McGarrett (USA: rerun title)
- "Target? the Lady" (1975) television episode (as Curt Anderson)
  • The Greatest American Hero as Ted McSherry (1 TV episode, 1982)
  • Shackleton (1982) (TV) as Raymond Shackleton
    a.k.a. Icebound in the Antarctic (USA) (final appearance)

References
  1. "Todd Armstrong movies, photos, movie reviews, filmography, and biography". AllMovie. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  2. "St. Louisan Todd Armstrong Starred in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS in 1963". December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  3. "St. Louisan Todd Armstrong Starred in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS in 1963". December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
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