News | Entertainment
3 Jul 2025 10:28
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Rip Torn died after a year-long battle with Alzheimer's disease

    The 'Men in Black' star's publicist Rick Miramontez revealed the sad news that the screen legend had passed away in July while at home in Lakeville, Connecticut, with his actress wife Amy Wright and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page by his side


    And now TMZ has obtained a copy of the actor's death certificate, which lists the cause of death as "due to (or as a consequence of) Alzheimer's dementia."

    He was laid to rest at a cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York.

    Rip played Chief Zed, the head of the Men In Black, in the 1997 sci-fi movie and its 2002 sequel alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, who paid tribute to the late actor upon hearing the news of his passing.

    Will shared a screenshot featuring the pair on Instagram, and he added the caption: "R.I.P. Rip."

    Rip - whose real name was Elmore Rual Torn Jr. - was also known for his role as coach Patches O'Houlihan in 'DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story', who repeated the catchphrase: "Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge."

    He portrayed Albert Brooks' character's defence attorney in 1991 romantic-comedy 'Defending Your Life' alongside Meryl Streep, and Albert paid tribute to the late star, describing him as a "true original".

    He tweeted: "R.I.P Rip Torn. He was so great in Defending Your Life. I'll miss you Rip, you were a true original. (sic)"

    Tom Green, who starred opposite Rip in 2001's 'Freddy Got Fingered', wrote: "Just heard the sad news that the great Rip Torn has passed away. Rip was a class act. He was an incredible actor. One of the greats. A true legend. I am proud to have worked with him and to have known him. Rest in peace Rip. (sic)"

    Rip made his movie debut in 1957 film 'Time Limit' opposite Richard Widmark, and was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Marsh Turner in 1983's 'Cross Creek'.

    What's more, he faced controversy when he was replaced by Jack Nicholson before shooting began on 1969 biker movie 'Easy Rider'.

    He later said: "Word got around that I was difficult and unreliable.

    "Unreliable! In all my years in the theatre I have never missed a performance."

    As well as his movie work, Rip - who adopted the name as a child - was known for his portrayal of Artie the producer on 'The Larry Sanders Show', for which he earned six Emmy Award nominations and he won one in 1996.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     03 Jul: Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet have split
     03 Jul: Sir David Beckham is at home and recovering after his recent hospitalisation
     03 Jul: Matthew Goode used to be "really shy" and "blush" all the time when he acted
     03 Jul: Cory Monteith's parents have died within weeks of each other
     03 Jul: Suzanne Somers' husband "missed dating" after her death
     03 Jul: Juliet Stevenson paints to switch off her brain
     03 Jul: Queen Latifah's first paycheque was "87 bucks" from Burger King
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Junior Tall Blacks have advanced to the last eight of the under-19 basketball World Cup for the first time More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The rule of law is key to capitalism - eroding it is bad news for American business More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Sean 'Diddy' Combs found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering but guilty of transport for prostitution 10:17

    Living & Travel:
    Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why 10:17

    Business:
    The rule of law is key to capitalism - eroding it is bad news for American business 10:07

    Politics:
    Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA 10:07

    Business:
    Confidence levels in Canterbury business have flat lined but experts remain cautiously optimistic 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet have split 10:06

    Entertainment:
    Sir David Beckham is at home and recovering after his recent hospitalisation 9:36

    Law and Order:
    A Wellington man's due to reappear in court today, following his involvement with an organised crime group, which allegedly stole 450-million-dollars worth of cryptocurrency 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Matthew Goode used to be "really shy" and "blush" all the time when he acted 9:06

    Basketball:
    The Junior Tall Blacks have advanced to the last eight of the under-19 basketball World Cup for the first time 8:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd