Rip Torn, the star in The Larry Sanders Show and Men In Black, has passed away aged 88.
According to the TV and stage star’s representatives, Torn “passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut.”
Known for his gruff-voiced characters, Torn was often threatened to steal the limelight from other higher-billed actors.
He was also known for his wild behavior, including his fighting against co-star on the set of the 1970’s film Maidstone, and also trying to break into a bank when he was 79 thinking it was his house.
One of his greatest successes was as Artie, the producer on HBO’s meta-comedy show The Larry Sanders Show.
His role allowed him to receive six Emmy Award nominations with a win in 1996. He also got an Acamedy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for 1983’s Cross Creek.
Over 40 years since his first appearance on screen, Torn was featured as Men In Black agency boss Zed opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.
Torn’s best roles were in dark dramas where he could show a mercurial personality.
He was born Elmore Rual Torn Jr. in Texas on February 6, 1931. Before joining the Military Police, Torn studied Shakespearean acting at the University of Texas.
During the 1950s, he studied with legendary acting teacher Lee Strasberg in New York City. He appeared in high-profile productions, including Nicholas Ray’s King of Kings, Elia Kazan’s A Face In The Crowd, and numerous episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
In 1955, he married actress Ann Wedgeworth but they divorced in 1961. He then married actress Geraldine Page in 1963 but she passed away in 1987. Torn then married actress Amy Wright in 1989.
One internet user commented: “He really was an absolutely amazingly good actor. I loved him in everything but my favourite was The Larry Sanders Show. RIP.”
Another said: “I loved his characters. Rest in peace.”
Someone else wrote: “Rest in peace Rip, Loved him in the massively under-rated ‘Freddie got fingered’ movie.”
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