‘Larry Sanders’ star Rip Torn dead at 88

Rip Torn, the larger-than-life actor known for his booming Southern drawl and impeccable comic timing, has died at the age of 88.

His family was by his side when he passed away Tuesday at his Connecticut home, his publicist said.

The Texasb n actor and sin of Acady Award minated acss Sissy cek reveled n extraordiy career that nned nearly decades, colorating with

Hollywood directors, from Elia Kazan to Richard Brooks, Martin Ritt and Barry Sonnefeld. He was equally adept at nuanced dramatic performances as he was at comedy.

Born Elmore Torn in 1931, he made his film debut in the 1956 comedy “Baby Doll,” starring Karl Malden and Carroll Baker.

He would hone his craft under the tutelage of method acting impresario Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

His eclectic roles included the 1976 sci-fi thriller “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” the political thriller “The Seduction of Joe Tynan” and the slapstick “Airplane II: The Sequel.”

Torn (photo) snagged his lone Academy Award nomination — for Best Supporting Actor — for his portrayal of an alcoholic father in the 1983’s “Cross Creek.”

In the 1990s, Torn landed a TV smash as Artie, the irascible talk show producer, on HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show.” He received Emmy Awards nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in each of the program’s six seasons and won the award in 1996. He took home an American Comedy Award in 1994 for the role.

Torn was married to “Three’s Company” actress Ann Wedgeworth until they divorced in 1961. Two years later, he married Geraldine Page; they were together until she died in 1987. For the past 30 years he was married to Amy Wright.