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Award Winning Actor Rip Torn Has Died, Age 88

Award Winning Actor Rip Torn Has Died, Age 88

His representatives have confirmed the news.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Actor Rip Torn, who played Patches O'Houlihan in DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, has sadly passed away, aged 88.

He had been in the acting business since the 1950s and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Cross Creek.

Torn played Artie the producer on The Larry Sanders Show, which received six consecutive Emmy Award nominations, of which Rip won Best Supporting Actor in 1996.

The 88-year-old will be well known for his role as Zed in the Men In Black franchise, the voice of Zeus in the Hercules movie, and, of course, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.

Columbia Pictures

His representatives have released a statement saying: "Rip Torn, one of the leading stage actors of his generation and an Emmy Award-winner for his portrayal of the deliciously devious producer Artie on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," has died.

"Torn passed away peacefully this afternoon (Tuesday) at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut, at the age of 88 with his wife Amy Wright, and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page by his side.

"His remarkable career on stage and screen spanned seven decades, ranging from an early career of dark, threatening roles to iconic comedic performances later in life.

"He once said, 'Play drama as comedy and comedy as drama'. He claimed this to be his secret weapon.

PA

"Torn appeared on Broadway ten times, with his debut in Elia Kazan's staging of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth on March 10, 1959, alongside Paul Newman and Geraldine Page whom he would later marry. He earned a 1960 Tony Award nomination and won a Theater World award for his role as "Tom, Jr.", a role he recreated in the 1962 film.

"Rip Torn was married to actress Ann Wedgeworth with whom he had a daughter, Danae Torn. He later married actress Geraldine Page, and they had one daughter, Angelica Page, and twin sons, Tony and Jon Torn. He had two children with actress Amy Wright - Katie and Claire Torn.

"He is also survived by his sister Patricia Alexander and his four grandchildren: Elijah, Tana, Emeris and Hannah."

RIP Rip.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity