LOS ANGELES (AP) – Award-winning television, film and theater actor Rip Torn has died at the age of 88, according to his publicist.
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.
Torn was a free-spirited Texan who overcame his quirky name to become a distinguished actor who won an Emmy late in his career for his comedy turn on TV’s “The Larry Sanders Show.”
Torn also starred alongside Will Smith and in the big screen hit ‘Men In Black.’
Smith paid tribute to Torn in an Instagram post with a photo of the two of them and the words, “RIP Rip.”
Two legends, same show (The Larry Sanders Show).
Both are gone now.Rip Torn (1931 – 2019)#RipTornRIP pic.twitter.com/W8ktYvVIB7
— Eddie ⅯcClintock (@EddieMcClintock) July 10, 2019
Torn made his film debut in 1956 in an adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ “Baby Doll.”
Other film credits included “Sweet Bird of Youth,” “Critics Choice” and “The Cincinnati Kid.”
His career on stage and screen spanned seven decades, ranging from an early career of dark, threatening roles to iconic comedic performances later in life.
Twitter remembers Torn #RipTorn
A very Young #RipTorn…he just passed away #Zed #MIB https://t.co/Z0RsHEhI6g pic.twitter.com/ZdVR58JvzW
— DowntownMDE™ (@KamilAbdulAssis) July 10, 2019
Remembering the talented Rip Torn today rest in peace.#riptorn #meninblack #mib pic.twitter.com/sA3WKUp1js
— ZonkstheAlien (@ZonkstheAlien) July 10, 2019
Rest in peace rip torn, you were awesome! #MenInBlack #RipTorn #legend pic.twitter.com/E2ejJunHHt
— Ivan Teece (@ivanteece) July 10, 2019
#RIP #RipTorn. Zed. You’re not dead, you’ve just gone home. pic.twitter.com/eYg2ERDphB
— Lana Jett (@AStardustSouI) July 10, 2019
R.I.P. Rip Torn (1931 – 2019) Sooo good in Men in Black!! #RipTorn
Great sci-fi. Great humor! Great timing. #MenInBlack You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/oqG5M83qky— Nike Margaret Morgan (@NikeMorgan) July 10, 2019
(Associated Press)
