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Torn, a Texas native, got his start in show business in the mid 1950s
and was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role as Marsh in
1983's
Cross Creek. In 1996, he won his first and only Primetime Emmy for his performance as Artie in
The Larry Sanders Show;
Torn was nominated five additional times for his work on the series.
The actor, whose husky baritone voice and gift for deadpan were
completely unique, also notched three more Emmy nominations for his
appearance in the 1985 true-crime miniseries
The Atlanta Child Murders, his guest role in
Chicago Hope, and for his guest role as Don Geiss in NBC's hit comedy series
30 Rock.
On the silver screen, Torn was known for his work in films like
Payday,
Defending Your Life,
Men In Black, and
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
He was also an accomplished stage actor, earning a Tony nomination in
1960 for his turn as Thomas J. Finley, Jr. in Tennessee Williams'
Sweet Bird of Youth.
The
actor reportedly passed away peacefully in his Connecticut home in the
company of his wife, actress Amy Wright, and two daughters.