Rip Torn

Born:February 6, 1931

Place of Birth:Temple, Texas, USA

Died:July 9, 2019

Known For:Acting

Biography

Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr., born on February 6, 1931, left a remarkable legacy in the world of American acting. With a career that spanned over six decades, Rip Torn captivated audiences with his versatile performances across film and television. While many remember him as the enigmatic Zed in the iconic Men in Black franchise and the eccentric Patches O'Houlihan in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, his talent extended far beyond these well-known roles.

In 1983, Torn showcased his exceptional acting abilities in the film Cross Creek, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This nomination was a testament to his dedication to his craft and his ability to immerse himself fully in every character he portrayed. Beyond the big screen, Torn's portrayal of Artie, the sharp-witted producer, on The Larry Sanders Show solidified his status as a television icon.

Throughout his career, Rip Torn garnered recognition for his outstanding work on The Larry Sanders Show, receiving six Emmy Award nominations and winning in 1996. His portrayal of Artie was not only comedic gold but also showcased his dramatic range, proving his prowess as a multifaceted actor. Torn's contributions to the show earned him an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male in a Series, as well as two CableACE Awards.

In addition to his Emmy and Comedy Award wins, Rip Torn's talent was further acknowledged when he received a Satellite Award nomination in 1997. This recognition underscored his ability to captivate audiences with his nuanced performances and his undeniable on-screen presence. Torn's dedication to his craft and his commitment to bringing each character to life set him apart as a true acting virtuoso.

Beyond the accolades and nominations, Rip Torn's impact on the entertainment industry extended far beyond awards. His unique ability to infuse depth and complexity into every character he portrayed left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. Torn's performances were characterized by a rare authenticity and a magnetic charisma that drew viewers in and kept them captivated until the credits rolled.

Rip Torn's passing on July 9, 2019, marked the end of an era in Hollywood. However, his contributions to film and television continue to resonate with audiences and fellow actors alike. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of a truly talented performer. Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr. will always be remembered as a legendary actor whose work transcended time and genre, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the cinematic landscape.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Hercules

Zeus (voice)

1997

Bestowed with superhuman strength, a young mortal named Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero in the eyes of his father, the great god Zeus. Along with his friends Pegasus, a flying horse, and Phil, a personal trainer, Hercules is tricked by the hilarious, hotheaded villain Hades, who's plotting to take over Mount Olympus!

Men in Black

Zed

1997

After a police chase with an otherworldly being, a New York City cop is recruited as an agent in a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth: the Men in Black. Agent K and new recruit Agent J find themselves in the middle of a deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies.

Bee Movie

Lou Lo Duca (voice)

2007

Barry B. Benson, a recent college graduate who wants more out of his life than making honey, decides to sue the human race after learning about the exploitation of bees at the hands of mankind.

Men in Black 3

Large-Headed Alien at Funeral (uncredited)

2012

Agents J and K are back...in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him - secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.

Men in Black II

Zed

2002

Kay and Jay reunite to provide our best, last and only line of defense against a sinister seductress who levels the toughest challenge yet to the MIB's untarnished mission statement – protecting Earth from the scum of the universe. It's been four years since the alien-seeking agents averted an intergalactic disaster of epic proportions. Now it's a race against the clock as Jay must convince Kay – who not only has absolutely no memory of his time spent with the MIB, but is also the only living person left with the expertise to save the galaxy – to reunite with the MIB before the earth submits to ultimate destruction.

King of Kings

Judas

1961

Who is Jesus, and why does he impact all he meets? He is respected and reviled, emulated and accused, beloved, betrayed, and finally crucified. Yet that terrible fate would not be the end of the story.

Marie Antoinette

Louis XV

2006

The retelling of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 15 to her reign as queen at 19 and ultimately the fall of Versailles.

DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story

Patches O'Houlihan

2004

When megalomaniacal White Goodman, the owner of a trendy, high-end fitness center, makes a move to take over the struggling local gym run by happy-go-lucky Pete La Fleur, there's only one way for La Fleur to fight back: dodgeball. Aided by a dodgeball guru and Goodman's attorney, La Fleur and his rag-tag team of underdogs launch a knock-down, drag-out battle in which the winner takes all.

Down Periscope

Admiral Winslow

1996

Maverick Navy Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge will never be a textbook officer, but he's a brilliant seaman who's always wanted to command a nuclear submarine — he's been given one last chance to clean up his record. Unfortunately, Admiral Graham, his nemesis, would rather sink the fleet than give Dodge his own boat. So, Graham stacks the deck against him and assigns Dodge to the Stingray, a diesel-powered WW2 submarine that can barely keep afloat. To make matters worse, Dodge's crew is a collection of maladjusted, mistake-prone misfits. Then, he's tagged the "enemy" in a crucial war game, and ordered to take on the U.S. Navy's best.

RoboCop 3

The CEO

1993

The mega corporation Omni Consumer Products is still bent on creating their pet project, Delta City, to replace the rotting city of Detroit. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the area have no intention of abandoning their homes simply for desires of the company. To this end, OCP have decided to force them to leave by employing a ruthless mercenary army to attack and harass them. An underground resistance begins and in this fight, RoboCop must decide where his loyalties lie.

The Insider

John Scanlon

1999

A research chemist comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a 60 Minutes exposé on Big Tobacco.

Airplane II: The Sequel

Bud Kruger / President Reagan

1982

A faulty computer causes a passenger space shuttle to head straight for the sun, and man-with-a-past Ted Striker must save the day and get the shuttle back on track – again – all the while trying to patch up his relationship with Elaine.

The Beastmaster

Maax

1982

Dar, is the son of a king, who's hunted by a priest after his birth and grows up in another family. When he becomes a grown man, his new father is murdered by savages and he discovers that he's the ability to communicate with the animals, which leads him on his quest for revenge against his father's killers.

Zoom

Larraby

2006

Jack Shepard is an out-of-shape auto shop owner, far removed from the man who once protected the world's freedom. Reluctantly called back into action by the government, Jack is tasked with turning a ragtag group of kids with special powers into a new generation of superheroes to save the world from certain destruction.

The Man Who Fell to Earth

Nathan Bryce

1976

Thomas Jerome Newton is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his home planet. Aided by lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, Thomas uses his knowledge of advanced technology to create profitable inventions. While developing a method to transport water, Thomas meets Mary-Lou, a quiet hotel clerk, and begins to fall in love with her. Just as he is ready to leave Earth, Thomas is intercepted by the U.S. government, and his entire plan is threatened.

Yours, Mine & Ours

Commandant Sherman

2005

Admiral Frank Beardsley returns to New London to run the Coast Guard Academy, his last stop before a probable promotion to head the Guard. A widower with eight children, he runs a loving but tight ship, with charts and salutes. The kids long for a permanent home. Helen North is a free spirit, a designer whose ten children live in loving chaos, with occasional group hugs. Helen and Frank, high school sweethearts, reconnect at a reunion, and it's love at first re-sighting. They marry on the spot. Then the problems start as two sets of kids, the free spirits and the disciplined preppies, must live together. The warring factions agree to work together to end the marriage.

Beyond the Law

Deputy Prescott

1993

Dan Saxon is an undercover cop who infiltrates a biker gang to nail the scum behind a drug-smuggling operation. In order to maintain the trust of the gang's leader, he must commit ever more dangerous and heinous crimes. Just how far 'beyond the law' will Saxon go?

Freddy Got Fingered

Jim Brody

2001

Unemployed cartoonist Gord Brody moves back in with his parents Jim and Julie and younger brother Freddy. When his parents demand he leave, he retaliates by spreading rumors that Jim is sexually abusing Freddy.

Coma

Dr. George

1978

A young female doctor discovers something sinister going on in her hospital. Relatively healthy patients are having 'complications' during simple operations and ending up in comas. The patients are then shipped off to an institute that looks after them. The young doctor suspects there is more to this than meets the eye.

Senseless

Randall Tyson

1998

A student gets his senses enhanced by an experimental drug. But abuse is not an option.

Summer Rental

Scully

1985

Jack Chester, an overworked air traffic controller, takes his family on vacation to the beach. Things immediately start to go wrong for the Chesters, and steadily get worse. Jack ends up in a feud with a local yachtsman, and has to race him to regain his pride and family's respect.

The Cincinnati Kid

William Jefferson Slade

1965

An up-and-coming poker player tries to prove himself in a high-stakes match against a long-time master of the game.

Pork Chop Hill

Lt. Walter Russell

1959

Korean War, April 1953. Lieutenant Clemons, leader of the King company of the United States Infantry, is ordered to recapture Pork Chop Hill, occupied by a powerful Chinese Army force, while, just seventy miles away, at nearby the village of Panmunjom, a tense cease-fire conference is celebrated.

Sweet Bird of Youth

Thomas 'Tom' J. Finley, Jr.

1962

Gigolo and drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown as the companion of a faded movie star, Alexandra Del Lago, whom he hopes to use to help him break into the movies. Chance runs into trouble when he finds his ex-girlfriend, the daughter of the local politician Tom "Boss" Finley, who more or less forced him to leave his daughter and the town many years ago.