Photo: AP
LOS ANGELES
Rip Torn, the free-spirited Texan who overcame his quirky name to become a distinguished actor in television, theater, and movies, such as ‘Men in Black,’ and win an Emmy in his 60s for ‘The Larry Sanders Show,’ has died. He was 88.
Talk show host Larry King in hospital with COVID-19
Torn died Tuesday afternoon at his home with his wife, Amy Wright, and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page by his side, according to his publicist Rick Miramontez. No cause of death was given.
His work on stage and screen spanned seven decades, ranging from an early career of dark, threatening roles to iconic comedic performances later in life.
After acclaimed performances in ‘Cross Creek,’ ‘Sweet Bird of Youth’ and other dramas, Torn turned to comedy to capture his Emmy as the bombastic, ethically challenged television producer in ‘The Larry Sanders Show.’ Created by and starring Garry Shandling, HBO’s spoof of TV talk shows aired from 1992 to 1998 and is widely credited with inspiring such satirical programs as ‘30 Rock’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’
Torn played Agent Zed in the first two ‘Men in Black,’ movies, which starred Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.
Torn and his first wife, actress Ann Wedgeworth, had a daughter, Danae, before divorcing. In 1963 he married Page, with whom he had co-starred in the touring production and movie version of ‘Sweet Bird of Youth.’ They had three children, a daughter, Angelica, and twins Jon and Tony, and appeared in productions together until her death in 1987. Torn also had two children, Katie and Claire, with actress Amy Wright.
