Rip Torn death: Dodgeball and Men In Black star dies aged 88

Dodgeball and Men In Black star Rip Torn has died aged 88.

The award-winning television, film and theatre actor died at his home with his wife and two daughters by his side on Tuesday.

He played Chief Zed, the head of the Men In Black, in the sci-fi film which starred Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.

And Torn also gained fans for his role as quirky coach Patches O'Houlihan in Dodgeball alongside Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller.

He won an Emmy late in his career for his comedy turn on TV's The Larry Sanders Show.

At the Actors Studio, he gained the attention of Elia Kazan, who hired him as understudy to Alex Nicol, then playing Brick Pollitt in the Tennessee Williams classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Towards the end of the show's Broadway run, Torn took over the role of the alcoholic, emotionally troubled former football hero.

Born Elmore Rual Torn, the actor adopted the name Rip in his boyhood, following the tradition of his father and uncle.

The actor died on Tuesday afternoon at his home with his wife, Amy Wright, and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page by his side.

The cause of his death was not immediately given.