Michael Armstrong



Michael Armstrong, also known by his nickname "Lurch", is an antagonist in Hot Fuzz. He is a hulking figure of a man easily capable of throwing a full grown adult with excessive force.

He is played by Rory McCann.

Characterization
He is a very unintelligent henchman of Simon Skinner, who works as manager at the local Somerfield supermarket, which employs Michael as a trolley boy. According to Danny Butterman, Michael's mother and sister are the same person, implying that he is inbred. Danny also mentions that he has the mind of a child with is revealed to be true as he is seen distracted by a toy monkey  Michael can only say two words: "yarp" (yes) and "narp" (no).

During the Sandford Police Service's raid on Somerfield, he fought in hand-to-hand combat with Nicholas Angel and eventually ended up shoved in a freezer until his later arrest. He is a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Alliance, though it is unlikely that he actually has any care for Sandford and just acts as a muscle man. He was shown crying after his arrest, meaning he may have had at least some remorse.

Trivia

 * The usage of the word "Armstrong" in his name could be a reference to his strength.
 * His nickname lurch came from the butler Lurch from the Addams family comic strip tv show and movies.
 * Although lurch can only respond to/with 'yarp' and 'narp' (yes and no) he is only heard saying 'yarp'. 'Narp' is said by Nicholas impersonating Lurch after almost being killed.