His is one of the most recognizable faces in feature films having starred in more than 100 of them in a career that spans a shade over 50 years.
Rip Torn has made his mark in the industry as a solid actor who started with his feature film debut in Elia Kazan’s “Baby Doll” in 1956. He was 25 years old and portrayed a dentist. The character was uncredited.
Since then Torn has appeared in dozens of feature films, on television and the stage — with his name definitely in the credits.
After “Baby Doll,” Torn went to New York City to study his craft at the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg. He appeared in the original cast of Tennessee Williams’ “Sweet Bird of Youth” and continued his character for the film and television.
Torn will be a featured guest at the 2011 Sedona International Film Festival during a screening Wednesday, Feb. 23.
“It sounded like a good thing to do and a chance to be up close with the people in the audience,” Torn said from his home in Connecticut during a telephone interview.
Torn has entertained audiences in several different genres: drama, mystery, adventure, romance, science fiction and comedy. He even played the voice of Zeus in the animated film “Hercules.”
Torn portrays it all with gusto. He received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role of Carl in the 1983 film “Cross Creek.”
“Whatever role you have, you play it and do the best job you can,” Torn said.
Torn has won several awards throughout his career, including an Emmy Award in 1996, an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male in a Series and two CableACE Awards, among others.
Torn was born Elmore Rual Torn Jr. on Feb. 6, 1931, in Temple, Texas. He came by the name “Rip” legitimately. It was a family name bestowed upon him by his father.
After studying animal husbandry and graduating from Texas A&M and the University of Texas, Torn hitchhiked to Hollywood with the dream of becoming a movie star to make enough money to buy a ranch. It was 1952 and while he looked to be “discovered,” he worked odd jobs and occasionally landed a role in television. Then came “Baby Doll” and his career took off. It hasn’t stopped.
One of his earliest roles was the brother-in-law of Gregory Peck’s character in “Pork Chop Hill.” He portrayed Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones’ boss, Zed, in the popular “Men in Black” series. “Men in Black III” is set for release in 2012.
Torn has also portrayed some pretty famous characters like King Louis XV in “Marie Antoinette,” Richard Nixon in “Blind Ambition,” and Lyndon Johnson in “J. Edgar Hoover.” One of his favored roles was Kit Carson in “Dream West.”
Picking out his favorite film is a difficult task for Torn, though.
“I have six children. Picking out my favorite film is like asking me to pick out my favorite child. They’re all favorites,” he said.
However, three films did stand out in his mind. One was “Defending Your Life” as the lead male character’s attorney in purgatory. Another was “Cross Creek.” Torn used a boat he built in the film.
Another was “Summer Rental” with John Candy in which Torn played Scully, a saloon keeper with a pirate’s mentality and persona.
“I’m also a stage actor and have my own theater here, along with my wife, Amy Wright. It’s right across the street. It was a foundry for the American Revolution,” Torn said.
He also spends time in his garden, and is writing a book about his life. Torn is proud of his flowers and vegetables.
“As a boy, I was a gardener. I’ve planted apple trees, a garden here at the house and another in the field next to me,” Torn said. “In the spring I’ll have 20 to 30 sunflowers planted. It really brings the birds in. Then I’ll have Swiss chard, beans and other vegetables and flowers.”
Torn told a story about a time he was on his hands and knees in the garden. He looked up to see a bear about seven feet in front of him — looking at him.
“I prayed to Jesus and all the saints to help me be calm, and whistled for my dog, Sammy. Now, Sammy’s not a big dog, but he ran right in and jumped on that bear. The bear knocked him off and then ran away,” Torn said. “I took a deep breath.”
Torn is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, a gift to his grandfather, who was a Mason, that turned out to be an affiliation Torn enjoys.
Torn said he has never been to Sedona and plans to take in some of the sights. While here he will also go to Flagstaff to visit his son, John Torn, who teaches at Northern Arizona University.
After his long and successful career Torn said he never did get the ranch he set out to buy, but he has no regrets.
“I’ve had a lot of fun,” he said and chuckled.
As far as an upcoming film starring Rip Torn, the 80-year-old actor said, “I’m ready.”
