Rip Torn dies: Tributes paid to Men In Black and Dodgeball star

Tributes have poured in for actor Rip Torn, who has died at the age of 88.
By Scotsman Reporter
Published 10th Jul 2019, 09:00 BST
Updated 10th Jul 2019, 10:00 BST
Actor Rip Torn has died aged 88. Picture: AFPActor Rip Torn has died aged 88. Picture: AFP
Actor Rip Torn has died aged 88. Picture: AFP

Oscar-nominated Torn, a character actor best known for roles in Men In Black, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and TV's The Larry Sanders Show, died on Tuesday, his representative said.

No cause of death was given.

Tributes have been paid to Torn, who won an Emmy Award for his work on The Larry Sanders Show and earned an Oscar nomination for 1984 film Cross Creek.

Actor Rip Torn has died aged 88. Picture: AFPActor Rip Torn has died aged 88. Picture: AFP
Actor Rip Torn has died aged 88. Picture: AFP
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Smith, who appeared alongside Torn in two Men In Black films, shared a picture of the pair together on screen, along with the caption: "R.I.P. Rip."

British sci-fi author Neil Gaiman recalled meeting Torn in 1990 and said he inspired the character of Mr Wednesday in his fantasy novel American Gods.

He tweeted: "I met Rip Torn once, in 1990, on a movie location in NC. 'You write science fiction?' he said, teeth in a scary grin. 'I was in BEASTMASTER.'

"Then he shook my hand and I ceased to exist for him. That was the start of Mr Wednesday in American Gods. RIP Rip."

Rip Torn plays Richard Nixon during the filming of "Blind Ambition," an eight-hour film for television in 1978. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)Rip Torn plays Richard Nixon during the filming of "Blind Ambition," an eight-hour film for television in 1978. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)
Rip Torn plays Richard Nixon during the filming of "Blind Ambition," an eight-hour film for television in 1978. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane cited Torn's roles as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show and Bob Diamond in 1991 comedy Defending Your Life as among his best work.

He said: "Rip Torn always made me laugh. Artie and Bob Diamond were two utterly unforgettable characters."

Alec Baldwin worked with Torn on TV comedy 30 Rock.

He said: "He was a deeply committed, phenomenal actor. See you down the road, Rip. You wonderful madman."

Actor Albert Brooks tweeted: "R.I.P Rip Torn. He was so great in Defending Your Life. I'll miss you Rip, you were a true original."

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Freaks And Geeks star John Francis Daley said: "The Larry Sanders Show. Men In Black. Defending Your Life.

"Rip Torn elevated these already excellent things."

Texas-born Rip, whose quirky name helped cement his face in the minds of audiences, enjoyed a career spanning seven decades.He is survived by his wife, Amy Wright, and daughters, Katie Torn and Angelica Page.