Rip Torn Biography

Over the last five decades, American actor Rip Torn has established himself as one of the most successful and recognizable character actors. He is best known for his extended run with the critically acclaimed series The Larry Sanders Show.

Elmore Rual Torn Jr, known popularly as Rip Torn, was born February 6, 1931 in Temple, Texas. His parents were Thelma Mary Spacek and Elmore Rual Torn. His father worked as an economist and agriculturist. Not the only actor in the family, Torn is cousins with Oscar-winner Sissy Spacek.

On the education front, Torn attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1952.

Upon graduation, Torn decided to give acting a genuine shot. To that end, he relocated to Hollywood and began auditioning for roles.

By 1956, he had finally landed his first gig. It was an uncredited part in the film Baby Doll.

After his one hard-earned (though small) role, Torn decided he needed to study his craft in order to win parts. As such, he moved once again—this time to New York. Once there, he studied under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

His stage career almost immediately took off. He is particularly noted for Sweet Bird of Youth by playwright Tennessee Williams.

With additional training and experience, Torn was able to begin landing roles in earnest. After fairly extensive work in various television series, Torn had his first really notable turn in 1965’s The Cincinnati Kid. In this drama, Torn took to the screen with acting greats Edward G Robinson, Steve McQueen, Ann Margret, and Karl Malden.

Torn was also supposed to play the role of George Hanson in 1969’s Easy Rider. The role was actually written specifically for him by Torn’s friend Terry Southern. A violent disagreement broke out, however, between Torn and film lead Dennis Hopper. The altercation allegedly ended with Hopper pulling a knife on Torn and Torn subsequently being replaced by newcomer Jack Nicholson. (Much later, Hopper relayed the incident on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno with Torn pulling the knife on him. Torn sued for defamation and won nearly $1 million.)

Despite the setback, Torn went on to establish himself as one of the most respected and prolific character actors. After notable turns in Payday, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and others, Torn was finally acknowledged by the Academy for 1983’s Cross Creek with Mary Steenburgen, Peter Coyote, and Alfre Woodard. It remains his one and only Oscar nomination.

Torn remains best known, however, for his longstanding role on The Larry Sanders Show. He joined the show in 1992 and remained until 1998. The series also featured Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Janeane Garofalo, and others.

Others may also recognize him as Chief Zed in Men in Black with Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Linda Fiorentino.

Most recently, Torn landed the recurring role of Don Geiss in 30 Rock. He shares scenes with series regulars Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Alec Baldwin.

In his personal life, Torn’s first marriage was rumored to be with Amy Wright, with whom he had two children.

He then married Ann Wedgeworth. They were together from 1955 to 1961, and they had one daughter.

1963 brought his third marriage to fellow actress Geraldine Page. They had three children and were together until her death on June 13, 1987. He never remarried.

Making headlines recently, Torn was arrested in early 2004 for drunk driving. Acquitted of all charges, he was arrested for the same offense two years later. This time around, he pled guilty, resulting in a suspended license and a small fine.