Background
He was born John Harris Armstrong in Saint Louis, Missouri, son of Harris Armstrong, a well-known architect and Louise McClelland Armstrong.
He was born John Harris Armstrong in Saint Louis, Missouri, son of Harris Armstrong, a well-known architect and Louise McClelland Armstrong.
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 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. His entry into films came when he was working as landscape gardener for actress Gloria Henry, who played the mother on the Dennis the Menace television series.
Henry learned of her gardener"s acting aspirations and successfully arranged for Armstrong to get a screen test at Columbia.
Armstrong appeared in 13 episodes of the series Manhunt and had supporting roles in the 1962 films Walk On The Wild Side (where he was credited as Todd Anderson) and Five Finger Exercise. Jason And The Argonauts was his first starring role, although his voice was redubbed by an uncredited British actor, Tim Turner.
He had only one additional leading role, in the World World War II film King Rat (1965),directed by Bryan Forbes. His later work consisted of supporting parts in films and guest work on television work.
In 1992, Armstrong contracted Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Out of depression he suffered, he committed suicide by gunshot on 17 November.
He was 55.