Friends, fans and costars took to social media Wednesday to mourn actor Rip Torn, who died Tuesday afternoon.

Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Seth Rogen and more entertainers posted tributes to the beloved star, who was remembered for his work in small- and big-screen projects, including “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Defending Your Life,” “Men in Black” and Disney’s “Hercules.”

Smith was one of the first to react to the news on Instagram, posting a still of himself and Torn performing in “Men in Black,” captioned simply, “R.I.P. Rip.”


Rogen celebrated Torn’s performances in both “The Larry Sanders Show” and the afterlife comedy “Defending Your Life,” sharing his favorite line from the film.

“Rip Torn was incredible,” the “Lion King” star wrote. “His work on The Larry Sanders Show was hysterical but nothing is better than the way he says ‘Big Bear’ in Defending Your Life. I still laugh just thinking about it.”

Rip Torn was incredible. His work on The Larry Sanders Show was hysterical but nothing is better than the way he says “Big Bear” in Defending Your Life. I still laugh just thinking about it. — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) July 10, 2019

Brooks, who directed and acted alongside Torn in “Defending Your Life,” also remembered his colleague for his comedic turn as defense attorney Bob Diamond.


“R.I.P Rip Torn,” the “Drive” actor wrote. “He was so great in Defending Your Life. I’ll miss you Rip, you were a true original.”

R.I.P Rip Torn. He was so great in Defending Your Life. I'll miss you Rip, you were a true original. — Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) July 10, 2019

Rob Lowe fondly recalled his time working with Torn as well. The “Wild Bill” star, who appeared on an episode of “The Larry Sanders Show” in 1995, shared his favorite Arthur moment on Twitter.

“Worked with Rip Torn,” Lowe tweeted. “So funny, original and intense. Favorite line of his from ‘Larry Sanders’: You’re like a Greek God, Larry. Part man, part desk!”


Worked with Rip Torn. So funny, original and intense. Favorite line of his from “Larry Sanders”: You’re like a Greek God, Larry. Part man, part desk! — Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) July 10, 2019

Baldwin, who costarred with Torn in “30 Rock,” praised the late actor as a “wonderful madman.”

“I worked on nbc30rock with RipTorn in the role of Don Geiss, the head of GE,” Baldwin wrote. “He was a deeply committed, phenomenal actor. See you down the road, Rip.”

Here’s a sampling of the outpouring for Torn’s legacy.


I worked on @nbc30rock with #RipTorn in the role of Don Geiss, the head of GE.

He was a deeply committed, phenomenal actor.



See you down the road, Rip.

You wonderful madman. — HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) July 10, 2019

Truly! Rest In Paradise dear Rip Torn! https://t.co/r6zWsgI41i — Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) July 10, 2019

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. — Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) July 10, 2019

“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.”



Rest In Peace, Rip Torn. pic.twitter.com/zlJhXVy7ap — Dan Buffa (@buffa82) July 10, 2019


RIP Rip Torn. A god. Here are some of my favorite lines from Artie pic.twitter.com/baWxuiDTPo — Brendan James (@deep_beige) July 10, 2019

“Be your own politics, grow your own garden, and maybe you can help out more.”~#RipTorn. One of our greatest talents is gone. Sending love and condolences to @PageAngelica and to the rest of his friends & family. #actor pic.twitter.com/1I77aFbFOh — gloria mann (@GloriaMann22) July 10, 2019

Torn’s gravestone should read “He once attacked Norman Mailer with a Hammer.” Cause he did. https://t.co/vpLUshsIGD — Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) July 10, 2019

Looking back on decades of Rip Torn's work and can't think of a single performance that could have been bettered by another actor. One of a kind. RIP. — Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) July 10, 2019


I met Rip Torn once, in 1990, on a movie location in NC. "You write science fiction?" he said, teeth in a scary grin. "I was in BEASTMASTER." Then he shook my hand and I ceased to exist for him. That was the start of Mr Wednesday in American Gods. RIP Rip.https://t.co/Fp7fVKtrDp — Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 10, 2019

You knew Rip Torn was hilarious but did you know he was incredibly handsome when he spoke about union solidarity? Honor his memory by joining a union or masturbating to him in the clip below. https://t.co/J7tLpSp7Kt — rob delaney (@robdelaney) July 10, 2019

Rip Torn always made me laugh. Artie and Bob Diamond were two utterly unforgettable characters. — Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) July 10, 2019


Rip Torn, I spent time on a couple of sets with him. I knew his wife Ann Wedgeworth she played my mom twice in different projects.She was just wonderful.Our younger generation of actors may not know of Rip or Ann but they should. Rip as unique an actor as any1 could ever hope 2b. pic.twitter.com/zBgMf9kea5 — Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) July 10, 2019

I was lucky enough to work with Rip Torn when I was ten. I had no idea how much he had done, just that he was a nice and interesting guy. What a life. — Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) July 10, 2019