Rip Torn
ActingAbout Rip Torn
Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr. (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) was an American actor whose career spanned more than 60 years. He was best known for his roles as Zed in the Men in Black franchise (1997-2002) and Patches O'Houlihan in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004). 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, the producer, 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 show, and was nominated for a Satellite Award in 1997 as well.
Rip Torn Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Rip Torn reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Rip Torn's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 84% of Rip Torn's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Rip Torn Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Rip Torn's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Rip Torn has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Men in Black 3 | Large-Headed Alien at Funeral (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Norman Mailer: The American | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Marie Antoinette | Louis XV | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Eulogy | Edmund Collins | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story | Patches O'Houlihan | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | Maniac Magee | George McNab | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Men in Black II | Zed | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Wonder Boys | Q | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle | Detective Manny Garett | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Insider | John Scanlon | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | The Mouse | Trucker 'God' | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Men in Black | Zed | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Hercules | Zeus (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Hindenburg | Narrator | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Down Periscope | Admiral Winslow | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | How to Make an American Quilt | Arthur | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | James Dean: A Portrait | Self (Narrator) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Letter to My Killer | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Where the Rivers Flow North | Noel Lord | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story | Bill Morgan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Fires of Kuwait | Narrator (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Defending Your Life | Bob Diamond | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | By Dawn's Early Light | Colonel Fargo | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Pair of Aces | Capt. Jack Parsons | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Silence Like Glass | Dr. Markowitz | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Extreme Prejudice | Sheriff Hank Pearson | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Execution | Wilheim Gehbert | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Scarab | Khepera | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | When She Says No | Stuart Blankfort | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Misunderstood | Will | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Cross Creek | Marsh Turner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Beastmaster | Maax | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Heartland | Clyde Stewart | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Steel Cowboy | K.W. Hicks | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Betrayal | Dr. Hartogs | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Coma | Dr. George | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Man Who Fell to Earth | Nathan Bryce | Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | Attack on Terror: The FBI vs. the Ku Klux Klan | Glen Tuttle | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Crazy Joe | Richie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Montserrat | Izquierdo | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Sol Madrid | Dano Villanova | Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Beach Red | Gunnery Sgt. Ben Honeywell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Cincinnati Kid | William Jefferson Slade | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Sweet Bird of Youth | Tom Finley Jr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | King of Kings | Judas | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Pork Chop Hill | Lt. Walter Russell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Time Limit | Lt. George Miller | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | A Face in the Crowd | Barry Mills (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Baby Doll | The Dentist (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Rip Torn - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Rip Torn?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Rip Torn is "A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Rip Torn acted in?
Rip Torn has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Rip Torn?
Other notable films include "Montserrat", "Steel Cowboy", and "The Mouse".