Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn dies aged 88

By MiNDFOOD

Will Smith and actor Rip Torn greet thousands of fans at the grand opening Men In Black Alien attraction at Universal Orlando April 18, 2000.  Photo Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski
Will Smith and actor Rip Torn greet thousands of fans at the grand opening Men In Black Alien attraction at Universal Orlando April 18, 2000. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski
American actor Rip Torn, known for his roles in Men In Black and Dodgeball, has died aged 88.

Rip Torn, the free-spirited Texan who overcame his quirky name to become a distinguished actor in theatre, television and movies and win an Emmy in his 60s for his comedy turn on TV’s The Larry Sanders Show, has died.

Publicist Rick Miramontez says Torn died Tuesday afternoon at his home with his wife, Amy Wright, and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page by his side. No cause of death was given.

The Oscar and Tony Award nominee and Emmy winner found acclaim in the HBO series The Larry Sanders Show, where he received an Emmy nomination in every one of its seasons, winning in 1996.

Actor Rip Torn
Actor Rip Torn displays the Emmy he won as best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role in “The Larry Sanders Show” September 8 at the 48th Annual Emmy Awards. Photo Credit: REUTERS

As a result, he began appearing in higher-profile films: notably as Agent Z in the blockbuster sci-fi comedy Men in Black in 1997, and the literary comedy-drama Wonder Boys in 2000.

Actor Rip Torn
Will Smith and actor Rip Torn greet thousands of fans at the grand opening Men In Black Alien attraction at Universal Orlando April 18, 2000. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski

Rip made his film debut in the 1956 film “Baby Doll.” From there he began a prolific and decades-long career on stage and screen.

Torn’s career gained momentum during the 1960s: he played Judas Iscariot in the Nicholas Ray-directed King of Kings, as wealthy gambler Slade in The Cincinnati Kid, and appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s second film as director, You’re a Big Boy Now, in 1966.

His full name was Elmore Rual Torn Jr. … but he started going by the nickname Rip when he was a kid.

Fun fact, his cousin is iconic actress Sissy Spacek.

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