Jason and the Argonauts Supporting Actors

"I know you've come for the Fleece!! and I know too that if you cannot win it by bargaining, then you plan to steal it! But we'll never part with it Jason. It is a gift from the Gods it has brought wealth and peace to Cholcis! and should we ever let it go it would make plague and famine and the destruction of our country!!! We can no longer welcome or entertain you but treat you as you deserve. As thieves, as pirates, as murderers!!

Todd Armstrong and Jack Gwillim

Jason and the Argonauts

The actors

Jason and the Argonauts was a film that brought together tons of actors to face Talos, the Hydra and others. In this page is dedicated to all the supporting actors from this film.

Hercules played by British actor Nigel Green was in my eyes the best Hercules of all time, he was not a beefed-up muscle man but real strong in character and full of charisma. It was because of him and Hylas that Talos awoke from his slumber and attacked the crew. Nigel Green was born in South Africa and studied chemical engineering before becoming and actor, if you were a fan of "The Avengers" back in the 60's he appeared in an episode called "Fog" as Sir Geoffrey Armstrong. He passed away on May 15, 1972.

Acastus as he finally sees the Golden Fleece unknown to him the terrible surprise that lies ahead. Acastus was the villain of the film an Argonaut and son of King Pelias. From the very beginning he was sent to kill Jason once the fleece was found, unfortunately for Acastus he was killed by the Hydra when he ventured too close to the treasure of the Cholcians. Gary Raymond was Acastus, calm and mysterious this actor was truly wonderful in the film, he did many TV appearances and films a while back most notably in "The greatest Story ever Told" in 1965 as Peter. I believe he might still be alive.

Medea falls in love with Jason after she is rescued from the ship that was destroyed by the Clashing Rocks. She is also the high priestess of the goddess Hecate and helps Jason escape the city of Cholcis with the Golden Fleece. Nancy Kovack began her acting career in New York and from there she made many films, in 1969 she was nominated for an Emmy for her part on "Mannix".

Phineas was a prophet who was blinded by Zeus for misusing his gift of prophecy. Zeus sent two harpies to torment him. When Jason arrives Phineas asks him to get rid of the harpies and in return he would tell them how to get to Cholchis. Patrick Troughton as Phineas was born in London, educated at Mill Hill school and trained as an actor in both the US and UK. He appeared in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger as Melanthius, remember The Omen 1976? he was Father Brennan, but he is probably best known for his role as Dr Who.

Zeus the king of the Gods, when Hera offered her services to Jason, Zeus set out a decreed that she could only helped him out 5 times, he offered Jason a ship, and crew and gold but Jason refused. Portrayed by actor Niall MacGinnis who did a wonderful job as Zeus, he portrayed the god much differently than Olivier, more warm-hearted than the vengeful Oliver as Zeus, Nial Macginnis appeared in over 70! films in his long career and many TV appearances, he passed away in 1972 of cancer.

Hera agreed to help out Jason and the Argonauts in the search for the golden fleece, from the very beginning she seemed to fall in love with Jason, but in the end it turned out differently. Played by actress Honor Blackman who has had a very wonderful career, she appeared along side Sean Connery in Goldfinger in 1964 I believe she appeared un-credited in Catch Me If You Can 2002 (archive footage).

Argus was the builder of the ship which in the Argonauts traveled. It was named after him "The Argo". He was also the second in command in the crew and a all around nice guy. Portrayed by actor Laurence Naismith this guy appeared in 90! films! wow what a career, Jason and the Argonauts would be his first appearance in a film produced by Charles H. Schneer his second would be the Valley of the Gwangi in 1969, I believe he passed away in 1992.

Pelias who over took the kingdom of Thessaly killed Jason's father and over ran the entire country side. Afraid of a prophecy foretold by the soothsayer, he seeks to kill Jason knowing that one day Jason would be the one to kill him. He helps Jason on his way to search for the Golden Fleece by sending his son Acastus so that at the right moment Acastus would kill Jason. British actor Douglas Wilmer portrayed King Pelias in Jason and the Argonauts he also appeared in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad as Vizier in 1974.

Hermes the messenger of the Gods disguised as a soothsayer is the one who takes Jason to Mt Olympus to meet with Hera and Zeus. In the original attack by Pelias to the city of Thessaly he makes sure that child Jason is taken to safety to avoid being killed by Pelias. Actor Michael Gwynn as Hermes in this film appeared in countless others, one of which was "The Fall of the Roman Empire" along side Sir Alec Guiness and Sophia Loren he passed away in January of 1976 from a heart attack.

King Aeetes! king if the city of Cholchis and true believer of the Golden Fleece, after Jason steals the fleece and kills the Hydra Aeetes brings forth the Children of the Hydras teeth to fight with Jason and his band of "thieves and pirates" Actor Jack Gwillim as Aeetes also appeared as Poseidon in Clash of the Titans in 1981.

Hylas and Hercules become great friends after he challenges Hercules to a discus toss in which he beats him. Hylas joins the Argonauts but is killed when Talos the giant bronze statue falls on top of him, Hercules full of guilt decides to stay in the Isle of Bronze to search for his dead friend. John Cairney as Hylas in Jason was born in Scotland and did many films. He had a role on "The Avengers" in an episode called Requiem in 1969, I believe he is still alive.

Castor was a champion wrestler from the city of Sparta, he joins the Argonauts and is one of the soldiers that along with Jason fought against the children of the Hydra's teeth in one amazing fight!. Ferdinando Poggi is a spanish actor that did most of his work in Spain, Germany and France, he only appereared in handful of American films. He was also the sword fight arranger for this film! Not sure if his alive or has passed away, he did do that fighting sequence with the skeletons amazingly though.

Polydeuces was another Argonaut that fought along Jason and the rest, he escapes during the night from the Cholchis with the help of Medea, (Polydeuces is the soldier in the middle of the picture). Actor John Crawford appeared in over 100 films!! wow..one of his most famous roles was in the film "The Poseidon Adventure" as Engineer Joe.

Phalerus of Athens was a champion archer he also joins the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece and along with Jason and Castor fight against the Children of the Hydra's Teeth. Andrew Faulds was best known for playing Jet Morgan in Charles Chilton's "Journey into Space" on the BBC. He passed away on May of 2000.

Eupameus was a champion swimmer from Denaro who joins the Argonauts and towards the end of the film fights with Acastus and is killed by him. Actor Douglas Robinson as Eupameus appeared in many "The Avengers" episodes back in the 60's.

As far as I know the actor who was calling out the different athletes who were competing to be part of the Argonauts next to Jason on this shot was not credited in the film at all, I'll try to find more info on this actor and post it as soon as I find it.

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Lines from some of the actors

"I have found the mightiest crew in all Greece now for a ship that is worthy of them.

Todd Armstrong

"Yes she is a fine ship..she's ready to sail."

Laurence Naismith

"Zeus king of the gods and the Greeks write in the ashes so that I may see the future."

Michael Gwynn

"I Have heard there is a tree at the end of the world. With a fleece of gold hanging in its branches.

"I have heard this too, so have many men, they said its a gift of the Gods."

It has the power to heal bring peace and rid the land of plague and famine."

Todd Armstrong as Jason and Douglas Wilmer as Pelias.

"Greetings Hermes"

"Greetings my lord Zeus"

"There seems to be a piece missing"

"Perhaps I can help"

"Welcome to Olympus, Jason"

"Ah Jason come to Mount Olympus at last."

Nial Macginnis, Honor Blackman and Michael Gwynn

"Hercules?"

"Yes"

"My name is Hylas, like you I came too late to compete in the games. But it occurs to me that if I can you beat you in something Jason couldn't refuse me a place in the ship either. After all he might need brains as well as braun...Shall we compete?

"Discus?"...."come on!"

See that rock?

"yes"...

"No thrower has ever reached it"

"And is the contest to hit it..or pass it."

"You'll be lucky if you get half way..now come on!"

"No after you Hercules..I've never thrown a discus before..I' would like to see how its done."

John Cairney and Nigel Green at the Olympic Games.