R.I.P. Rip – actor dies at 88

Longtime stage and Hollywood actor Rip Torn, who appeared in movies such as “Men in Black” and “Dodgeball” and who won an Emmy for “The Larry Sanders Show,” died on Tuesday, his publicist said. He was 88.

Torn (inset) passed peacefully at his home in Lakeville, Conn., with his wife and two of his daughters 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,” his publicist, Rick Miramontez, said in a statement.

Torn, who appeared in 10 Broadway productions, starred as Zed in “Men in Black” in 1997.

He became most associated with the character Artie, a talk- show producer, on HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show,” which aired from 1992 to 1998.

Torn was nominated for an Emmy six times for his performance on the show, winning the award in 1996.

Later, he starred as Patches O’Houlihan, a wheelchair-bound dodgeball coach in the cult classic “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.”

Torn was born in Texas and studied agriculture at Texas A&M and acting at the University of Texas.

He hitchhiked to Hollywood after serving as a military police officer and began his acting career in the 1950s. He moved to New York after landing only small television roles in California.

Torn is survived by his wife of 30 years, Amy Wright, six children, a sister and four grandchildren. He was previously married to actress Geraldine Page.