Heritage \ People \

Robert William Armstrong (1890-1973)
Popular Hollywood actor, in 1933, starred in "King Kong" movie.
By Marvin Kusmierz (April, 2011)

Robert Armstrong was born on November 20, 1890, at Saginaw, Michigan, to William and Minnie (Lahman) Armstrong. His paternal grandparents were Richard and Harriet E. (Scott) Armstrong. Robert's father was born in St. Clair, Michigan, and around 1870, the family moved to Bay City. His grandfather, who had extensive experience in sailing, started up a vessel business at Bay City, that included passenger boats and tug boats, which provided work for the his sons as they were of age. The only girl in the Amrstrong family was Robert's aunt Cholula. The youngest of the boys, was his uncle Paul, who later on left the vessel business to become a writer. Robert's maternal grandparents were Charles and Mary (Hayes) Lahman.

Robert Armstrong, eventually followed in the steps of his Uncle Paul, but not before moving to Seattle, Washingtion with his parents. In 1913, Robert entered the University of Washington, intent on getting a law degree, however, he never comleted his course, instead he aborted his educational path, and moved to New York City to join up with his Uncle Paul, who had become successful playwright. During this period of time he was doing well, and he even dabbled some in writing a few plays of his own. Life was pretty good for him until World War I broke, and he was called on to serve in the infantry. He was a lieutenant when is was discharged. He was shocked to learn that his uncle Paul had died. With the option no longer joining his uncle's business, his turned his attention to acting.

Next Robert is found London, where in 1926, he was acting in stage plays, then in 1928, he his first break in films came when he landed a role in Pathe's “The Main Event.” From that point on his acting career continued to grow, working for various studios – the Grand National Films Inc., Universal Pictures and Producers Releasing Corporation. While he appeared in over 127 movies, he is best remembered for his 1933 co-starring role in “King Kong.” In 1949, he starred in another gorilla sequel called “Mighty Joe Young.“

While Robert had much good fortune in the film industry, his marital affairs were just the opposite. He was married five times! His first marriage was in 1919 to Peggy Allenby, which ended with a divorce in 1925. He then married Jeanne Kent, with the same results. A third marriage took place at Yuma, Arizona in January, 1936, to Gladys Duboise, and it lasted until December, 1938. His last one was to Claire Louise Frisby on January 1, 1940. This one was quite odd as Claire was formerly married to his uncle Rolf, who was a highly successful commercial artist, famous for his pin-up girls which appeared on the covers of magazines and music sheets. I'm sure the two, at least before this marriage, spent some time together, as Rolf had quite a few friends in Hollywood.

Robert lived a full life, I suspect he never regretted his decision to give up being a lawyer for the fame of being a Hollywood actor. About the only regret he might have had is that his father never saw him on the big screen, he died in 1921. Robert died of cancer on April 20, 1973, at Santa Monica, California, and is buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

King Kong Movie Trailer.

Footnote:

Cook's 1906 expedition to Mt. McKinley, Alaska.

Robert's father, William, who was interested in mining for gold in Alaska, was a member of Frederick Cook's second expedition to Mount McKinley, in 1906. Cook proclaimed success in reaching the peak, but others contested he had done so. William as a witness to events of the exploration was called upon to state his opinion, which he did in an article he wrote which was published by [The New York Times, Oct. 15,1909]

Additional Notes.

1870 - Census: St. Clair, St. Clair, Mich.

• Armstrong, Richard - b. 1840 Canada
• Harriet, wife - b. 1847 Mich.
• William M., son - b. 1866 Mich.
• Chilula, dau. - b. 1868 Mich.
• Paul, son - b. 1869 Missoui

  1880 - Census: West Bay City, Bay, Mich.

• Armstrong, Richard - b. 1840 Canada
• Harriet, wife - b. 1847 Mich.
• William, son - b. 1866 Mich.
• Cholula, dau. - b. 1868 Mich.
• Paul, son - b. 1870 Missouri

  1888 - Michigan Marriages: Portsmouth, Bay, Mich.

• Date Jan. 12, 1888.
• Groom: William N. Armstrong, b. 1866, St. Clair, Mich., son of Richard J. Armstrong and Harriet E. Scott.
• Bride: Minnie A. Lahman, b. 1868, Rochester, NY, daughter of Charles Lahman and Mary Hayes.
• Official: Roland Woodham, minister.
• Witnesses: Richard and Harriet Armstrong.

  1890 Michigan Births: Saginaw, Saginaw, Mich.

• Robert Armstrong, son of William and Minnie Armstrong, was born Nov. 20, 1890.

  1900 - Census: Bay City, Mich.

• Armstrong, William - b. May 1866, Mich. (son of Richard & Harriet)
• Minnie A., Wife - b. Feb. 1868 New York
• Robert W., son - b. Nov. 1891 Mich.
• Lahaman, Charles, father-in-law - b. Jul. 1830 Germany.

  1910 - Census: Seattle, King, Wash.

• Armstrong, Wm. Noah - age 43, b. Mich. (son of Richard & Harriet)
• Minnie L., wife - age 42, b. New York
• Robert W., son - agte 19, b. Mich.
• Henry, Maude M., neice, age 23, b. Mich.

  1921 - Washington Deaths: Seattle, King, Washington.

• William N. Armstrong, son of Richard Armstrong and Harriet E. Scott, died Jan. 20, 1921.