Actor R.G. Armstrong 1917-2012 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-29-2012, 09:19 AM

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R.G. Armstrong passed away in his sleep on July 27, 2012. He was 95. Born Robert Golden Armstrong on April 7, 1917 in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there he was frequently performing on stage with the Carolina Playmakers. Although his mother had hoped he would follow the ministry, after graduating, R.G. headed to New York, where his acting career really took off. In 1953 he, along with many of his Actor's Studio buddies, was part of the cast of "End As a Man" -- this became the first play to go from off-Broadway to Broadway. The following year, R.G. got his first taste of movies, appearing in “Garden of Eden” (1954). However, he returned to New York and the live stage. He received great reviews for his portrayal of Big Daddy in the Broadway production of "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" in 1955. In 1958 he took the plunge to Hollywood and appeared in two movies, a TV series, and numerous guest appearances on TV shows that year, usually in westerns such as "The Rifleman" (1958), "Have Gun - Will Travel" (1957) and "Zane Grey Theater" (1956), among others. He would go on to appear in 80 movies and three TV series in his career, and guest-starred in 90 TV series, many of them westerns, often as a tough sheriff or a rugged land baron. R.G. was a regular cast member in the TV series "T.H.E. Cat" (1966), playing tough, one-handed Captain MacAllister. Although most of us remember R.G. as a regular in several Sam Peckinpah films, the younger generation knows him as spooky Lewis Vandredi, who just wouldn't let the main characters have a good night's sleep on the "Friday the 13th" (1987) TV series. Finally retiring after six successful decades in show business, his last film appearance was in the TV western film “Purgatory” (1999). Mr. Armstrong had been blind for the past few years he enjoyed listening to old radio programs and the Encore westerns channel. Armstrong received a Golden Boot award in 1999. R.G. appeared in one Euro-western as Honest John in “My Name is Nobody” (1973).

Mr. Television · 07-29-2012, 10:28 AM

I remember him from Friday the 13th: The Series , one of the most frightening shows of all time.

"Lewis Vandredi made a deal with the devil to sell cursed antiques. But he broke the pack and it cost him his soul."

R.I.P. R.G.

Zoneboy · 07-29-2012, 10:34 AM

R.G. Armstrong as Pruneface in Dick Tracy

Nighthawk76 · 07-29-2012, 07:24 PM

He was a good character actor. He was great as "the old man' in three episodes of Millennium.

UMFaninMD · 07-30-2012, 09:06 PM

I knew him from his horror movie roles, such as The Car, Children of the Corn, Race With the Devil, and of course Friday the 13th: The Series. I didn't realize he was that old or that he was still around until now. RIP and thanks for a long, good career.

07-29-2012, 09:19 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,439	Actor R.G. Armstrong 1917-2012 Link R.G. Armstrong passed away in his sleep on July 27, 2012. He was 95. Born Robert Golden Armstrong on April 7, 1917 in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there he was frequently performing on stage with the Carolina Playmakers. Although his mother had hoped he would follow the ministry, after graduating, R.G. headed to New York, where his acting career really took off. In 1953 he, along with many of his Actor's Studio buddies, was part of the cast of "End As a Man" -- this became the first play to go from off-Broadway to Broadway. The following year, R.G. got his first taste of movies, appearing in “Garden of Eden” (1954). However, he returned to New York and the live stage. He received great reviews for his portrayal of Big Daddy in the Broadway production of "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" in 1955. In 1958 he took the plunge to Hollywood and appeared in two movies, a TV series, and numerous guest appearances on TV shows that year, usually in westerns such as "The Rifleman" (1958), "Have Gun - Will Travel" (1957) and "Zane Grey Theater" (1956), among others. He would go on to appear in 80 movies and three TV series in his career, and guest-starred in 90 TV series, many of them westerns, often as a tough sheriff or a rugged land baron. R.G. was a regular cast member in the TV series "T.H.E. Cat" (1966), playing tough, one-handed Captain MacAllister. Although most of us remember R.G. as a regular in several Sam Peckinpah films, the younger generation knows him as spooky Lewis Vandredi, who just wouldn't let the main characters have a good night's sleep on the "Friday the 13th" (1987) TV series. Finally retiring after six successful decades in show business, his last film appearance was in the TV western film “Purgatory” (1999). Mr. Armstrong had been blind for the past few years he enjoyed listening to old radio programs and the Encore westerns channel. Armstrong received a Golden Boot award in 1999. R.G. appeared in one Euro-western as Honest John in “My Name is Nobody” (1973).
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-29-2012, 10:28 AM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I remember him from Friday the 13th: The Series , one of the most frightening shows of all time. "Lewis Vandredi made a deal with the devil to sell cursed antiques. But he broke the pack and it cost him his soul." R.I.P. R.G.
	__________________ Sonny

07-29-2012, 10:34 AM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,439	R.G. Armstrong as Pruneface in Dick Tracy

07-29-2012, 07:24 PM	#4
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	He was a good character actor. He was great as "the old man' in three episodes of Millennium.

07-30-2012, 09:06 PM	#5
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	I knew him from his horror movie roles, such as The Car, Children of the Corn, Race With the Devil, and of course Friday the 13th: The Series. I didn't realize he was that old or that he was still around until now. RIP and thanks for a long, good career.