Rip Torn Movies and Career Information

Elmore Rual Torn, Jr. (born February 6, 1931), better known as Rip Torn, is an American actor of stage, screen and television. Torn received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1983 film Cross Creek. His work includes the role of Artie on The Larry Sanders Show, for which he was nominated for six Emmy awards, winning in 1996. Torn also won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male in a Series, and two CableACE Awards for his work on The Larry Sanders Show. He was also nominated for a Satellite Award in 1997. Torn was born Elmore Rual Torn, Jr. in Temple, Texas, the son of Thelma Mary (née Spacek) and Elmore Rual Torn, an agriculturalist and economist. Being given the name "Rip" is a family tradition of men in the Torn family for several generations. It was given to him by his father, who was also called Rip; although as a young child and teenager he was referred to as "Skippy." He is the brother of Sam Torn, who is the owner of Camp Ozark. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1952. He is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Following graduation from Texas A&M, Torn relocated from his native Texas to Hollywood, making his debut in