Rip Torn

Elmore Rip Torn Jr. (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) was an American actor, director, and teacher whose career spanned more than 60 years and made him one of the most versatile performers in entertainment. Born in Temple, Texas, Torn trained at the University of Texas and later became a student of Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in New York. He appeared in numerous acclaimed films including "Sweet Bird of Youth" (1962), "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" (2004), and notably as Agent Zed in the "Men in Black" franchise. On television, he became widely recognized for his role as Artie, the producer on "The Larry Sanders Show" (1992-1998), which earned him an Emmy Award. Beyond acting, Torn was an accomplished director and founding member of the prestigious Actors Studio, where he influenced generations of performers. His later career included memorable character roles and continued work until his death, establishing him as an icon of American character acting and a mentor to younger talent.