A Hollywood actor expressed his fascination with El Paso icon Jay J. Armes on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, saying he had the private investigator’s action figure as a child.
Norman Reedus, best known for his role in “The Walking Dead,” schooled Kimmel on the famous detective in a show that aired on June 18, 2024.
“He had both of his hands missing,” Reedus said. “So, you could change his hands with hooks, guns, and knives.”
Reedus refers to Armes’ accident as a boy when the El Paso native lost both hands while playing with railroad torpedoes.
Armes came up in conversation after Reedus recalled his sister having a Cher doll while the actor remembered playing with a doll of the private eye.
“He was a real person,” Reedus said. “He lived on a compound with like cheetahs, and rhinos and stuff like that.”
As Reedus continued to tell Armes’ infamous story, including how the detective helped locate Marlon Brando’s missing son, Kimmel appeared to be in awe.
“So, he took this unfortunate thing that happened to him and made it something awesome,” Kimmel said. “We’ve got to find him.”
Where can Kimmel find JJ Armes?
Armes is alive and well at 91 years old, according to son Jay J. Armes III.
“He’s retired now,” the son said. “If you ask him, he’ll never admit he’s retired. He’s just relaxing now, but he’s okay.”
Armes still resides in El Paso, his son said.
Not the first time Reedus mentioned JJ Armes
The actor has mentioned the El Paso legend before. In April 2018, Reedus talked briefly about his Jay J. Armes action figure with late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon, like Kimmel, had never heard of the world-renowned private eye.
“He’s a real guy?” Fallon asked. “Jay J. Armes? I don’t know Jay J. Armes.”
A year later, in 2019, Reedus also shared a photo of his beloved action figure on his official Facebook. ‘My mom found it,’ the post said.
Production about Armes’ life in the works?
While on Kimmel, Reedus mentioned he attempted to purchase the rights to Armes’ life. This would be done to film a movie about the El Pasoan, Armes’ son said.
“I think Nic Cage has them,” Reedus said.
Armes’ son said this is untrue. However, some depictions of Armes’ life may be in the works. He could not elaborate because of legal reasons.
“Let’s just say it’s coming to fruition,” his son said. “But it’s nice that my dad is still being recognized for the work that he did.”
More about Jay J. Armes
- Jay J. Armes was born Julian Armas; he changed his name legally in 1977.
- Armes’ hands were mangled when two railroad torpedoes he was playing with exploded in May 1946.
- After attending Ysleta High School, Armes made his way to Hollywood, appearing in 39 motion pictures and 28 television shows.
- In 1972, actor Marlon Brando hired Armes to find his son, who had been taken to Mexico. Armes reportedly found him in three days.
- In 2021, Armes’ infamous home was listed for $1.6 million and was recently demolished to make way for commercial and retail use.
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