Wildman Jack Armstrong, the longtime professional wrestler whose real name was Leonard Ornstein, has died at 79.
His friend Laura Creavalle announced the news in a Facebook post. She called Armstrong her best friend and said he was there for her when she was starting out: “he bought my first posing suit in LA and I lived with him for many years when I was a beginner struggling bodybuilder. Broke and homeless.”
Days earlier, Creavalle had posted that she traveled to Los Angeles to help Armstrong because his health was failing. “They had to remove one of his legs (and) he is on dialysis, but his sense of humour still stays,” she wrote. “He is 79. I’m hoping he makes it to 80.”
Armstrong made his in-ring debut in 1963 and wrestled for 31 years, wrapping up his career in 1994. He worked in the AWA, Los Angeles, Georgia and Japan over that stretch.
His final year in the ring brought a title. On September 23, 1994, Armstrong beat Mando Guerrero to become the UWF Junior Heavyweight Champion. That was the final UWF show, which made him the first and only holder of the championship.
Armstrong also worked outside the ring, appearing in films including Grunt! The Wrestling Movie, Bad Guys and Body Slam.
The Cauliflower Alley Club paid tribute on X. “The Cauliflower Alley Club is saddened to learn of the passing of professional wrestler ‘Wild Man’ Jack Armstrong at 79,” the club wrote. “In addition to his career inside the squared circle, Jack appeared in numerous movies and television shows throughout his career. Rest in peace.”
The club also announced the death of Jumbo Baretta at 59.
