Elmore Rual Torn Jr was born in Temple, Texas, on 6 February 1931. The nickname ‘Rip’ was a family tradition but when he broke into acting many Hollywood producers advised him to change it. However, Torn figured his name would become an asset: people would remember it. After several small parts, he landed a big role in 1957’s Time Limit from which this is a publicity shot.

Photograph: Harold Filan/AP