Russell Armstrong | |
|---|---|
| Born | Russell Lynn Armstrong December 21, 1963 |
| Died | August 15, 2011 (aged 47) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Resting place | Roselawn Memorial Park |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Richardson High School |
| Alma mater | University of Hawaiʻi |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, venture capitalist |
| Years active | 1981–2011 |
| Television | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
Russell Lynn Armstrong (December 21, 1963 – August 15, 2011) was an American venture capitalist. He became known through his appearances on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Russell Lynn Armstrong was born in Dallas, Texas on December 21, 1963, as the elder of two children to John Ann Armstrong (née Anders; 1941–2023) and Louie Lynn "L.L." Armstrong (1942–2016). He had a younger sister named Laurie Ann Armstrong (born 1965).
Armstrong attended Richardson High School and graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi.
Armstrong was the founding managing director of Crescent Financial Partners, a Los Angeles based private merchant banking firm.
Armstrong appeared with his wife, Taylor, on the first and second season of the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, in 2010 and 2011. The second season was broadcast posthumously, with most of his scenes being cut.
Armstrong worked as a venture capitalist.
Armstrong was charged with felony tax evasion on October 10, 1995. The case was closed in 1997. He was sentenced to five years of probation and 150 hours of community service to be completed in two years.
Armstrong was arrested in West Hollywood, California in December 1997. He was charged with misdemeanor spousal battery and battery over an alleged altercation with his then-wife Barbara. He was released on bail for $15,000 in US dollars (USD); ordered to attend therapy once a week, at least two Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings every week and abstain from all alcohol and drug use, while awaiting trial. In March 1998, he was arrested following a fight with Barbara. He was not required to post additional bail and, on March 30, he plead no contest to misdemeanor battery. The spousal charge was dropped and he was sentenced to three days in Los Angeles County Jail, placed on three years' probation and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, spend a minimum of one year in anger-management therapy, attend 50 AA meetings, and give a $1,000 USD contribution to a women's clinic in Venice, Los Angeles.
Armstrong was a member of the Episcopalian Church.
Armstrong married his first wife, Barbara Ann Frederickson, in 1997. Their only child, a son, Aiden Armstrong, was born in 1998. The couple separated within months of their son's birth and their divorce was finalized in 2004, with Frederickson obtaining a temporary restraining order against Armstrong on behalf of their son. Frederickson had accused Armstrong of domestic violence against herself and child abuse against their son.
Armstrong's ex-girlfriend, Claudia Haro, had accused him of domestic violence against herself and child abuse against his elder son, Aiden, during their six-month relationship.
Armstrong was briefly engaged to Milette Fields. Their only child, a son, Griffin Armstrong, was born in 2000. His ex-wife, Barbara, had accused him of child abuse against Griffin.
Armstrong married his second wife, Taylor Armstrong, a businesswoman, in Mexico, on October 27, 2005, shortly after they started dating. The two met at a local restaurant in Beverly Hills, California while waiting to be seated. Their only child, a daughter, Kennedy Armstrong, was born on February 25, 2006. The couple separated on July 1, 2011, with Armstrong filing for divorce on July 15. Armstrong had accused him of domestic violence.
Armstrong filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on October 16, 2005, after he was unable to pay US$48,742 to American Express. On March 22, 2006, his bankruptcy filing was converted to Chapter 11.
Armstrong had amassed over $1.5 million USD worth of debt at the time of his death. His debt came as a result of trying to keep up with expectations for the lavish lifestyle portrayed on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, according to his lawyer, Ronald Richards.
Armstrong was found dead at a friends home on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles, California on August 15, 2011. He was 47. The coroner's report concluded that his death was a suicide by hanging. He was interred at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas on September 2, 2011.
On August 16, 2011, less than 24 hours after Armstrong's death, his friend and business partner, Alan Schram, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head outside his car on Mulholland Drive. The coroner's report concluded that Schram's death was a suicide.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | ||||
| 1998 | American Justice | Himself | ||
| 2003 | B | |||
| 2010–2011 | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | 19 episodes |