The Men in Black star died while surrounded by his family at his home in Connecticut, US. Rip became a household name after a series of prominent roles in shows such as The Larry Sanders Show and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. For some of a certain age, he will also be fondly remembered for playing the part of Zeus in Disney’s Hercules.
The star was originally born named Elmore Rual Torn Jr.
The cause of Rip’s death has yet to be confirmed.
The actor had a staggering catalogue of credits, amassing more than 200 appearances in films and on TV.
But the life of Hollywood could have been a distant dream after he served time in the Military Police for the US army.
READ MORE: Cameron Boyce dead: Jessie’s Peyton List shares tribute to co-star
However, after serving he made the move to the screen.
In his debut role in the 1983 film Cross Creek he earned his first and only Academy Award nomination.
In that role he played a penniless neighbour who suffered at the hands of the local sheriff.
But afterwards he became a true giant of TV.
Between 1992 and 1998, Rip performed the character Artie on the HBO classic The Larry Sanders Show.
The role was a sitcom which was based in the office of a late-night talk show.
Once again, critical acclaim followed.
This time he earned a whooping six consecutive Emmy-award nods.
In 1996, he collected the award.
His next notable role came as Zed in Men in Black.
He starred alongside Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in 1997, before returning to the role in 2002.
He also had audiences in stitches for his part of Patches O’Houlihan in Dodgeball.