Tributes paid as ‘Critics Choice’ and ‘King of Kings’ star Rip Torn dies aged 88

Iconic actor Rip Torn – whose real name was Elmore Rual Torn – has passed away at the age of 88, with his wife and daughters by his side.

His publicist confirmed the news to Associated Press, revealing that the movie star died “peacefully” in his sleep at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut, in the United States. However his cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Rip’s wife Amy Wright and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page were with him at the time of his passing, the representative added.

He will be best remembered for iconic roles in TV shows such The Larry Sanders Show, in which he played Artie, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E, as well as movie roles in hits such as Critic’s Choice, Cross Creek, King of Kings and Men In Black, and tributes flooded in for the Emmy-winner on social media after news of his death broke.

“R.I.P Rip Torn. He was so great in Defending Your Life. I’ll miss you Rip, you were a true original,” filmmaker Albert Brooks wrote.

While Judd Apatow said: “Rip Torn. The greatest. He always said to watch him in the movie Payday. I finally did and it was a tour deforce. Rip as a wild George Jones type character on a rampage. He was so proud.”

Born in Texas, he made his on-screen debut in 1956 flick Baby Doll, before going on to study at the Actors Studio in New York City.

His career took off in the 1960s, landing roles in the likes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Sweet Bird of Youth and The Untouchables. He also played Ingrid Bergman’s younger lover in 1961’s  Twenty-Four Hours in a Woman’s Life.