# Russell Armstrong

Russell Lynn Armstrong (December 21, 1963 – August 15, 2011) was an American attorney and venture capitalist. He became known through his appearances on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

## Early life

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.

## Career

Armstrong began his career as an attorney. He represented Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer, during an armed-robbery case in 1981.
Armstrong made his debut, and only appearance, as an actor in the adventure-comedy television film The Ring of the Musketeers in 1992.
Armstrong appeared in an episode of the A&E criminal justice television program American Justice in 1998 and an episode of the A&E documentary television series Biography in 2003. He spoke about Wuornos in both episodes.
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.

## Criminal history

Armstrong was charged with felony tax evasion on October 10, 1995. The case was closed in 1997. He was sentenced to five years' 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 US$15,000 bail; 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 US$1,000 contribution to a women's clinic in Venice, Los Angeles.

## Personal life

Armstrong was a member of the Episcopalian Church.

### Marriage, children and relationships

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 Ford, 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 Ford filing for divorce on July 15. Ford had accused him of domestic violence.

### Wealth

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 US$1.5 million 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.

## Death

Armstrong was found dead at his 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.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1992 | The Ring of the Musketeers | Skeptical Kid | Episode: "Episode #1.1" |
| 1998 | American Justice | Himself | Episode: "Death Row Prostitute: Aileen Wuornos" |
| 2003 | Biography | Himself | Episode: "Aileen Wuornos" |
| 2010–2011 | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Himself | 19 episodes |