Kevin Pollak Recalls Rip Torn's Erratic Behavior on Set

Hollywood veteran Kevin Pollak has identified the late Rip Torn as the most erratic actor he has ever worked with, recounting unusual incidents from the set of the 1995 film “Canadian Bacon.”

Pollak, speaking on "The Rich Eisen Show," stated that Torn, who died in 2019, exhibited paranoia daily. "Every day Rip would decide someone in the cast or crew was out to get him," Pollak recalled.

According to Pollak, Torn frequently asserted that he was on former President Richard Nixon’s enemies list. "If a day also went by without Rip Torn saying, ‘I was on Nixon’s list.’ All right, we got it," Pollak quipped, adding that no one on set inquired about the reason for Torn's alleged inclusion on the list.

Pollak further shared an anecdote involving fellow actor Kevin O’Connor and his wife. The couple, staying in a hotel room adjacent to Torn's during filming, reportedly overheard Torn engaging in loud arguments through the walls. O'Connor and his wife compiled a list of Torn's most memorable outbursts, with the top entry being Torn yelling, "I said milk it like a cow" at someone, presumably a sex worker, through the wall.

Torn had a distinguished career spanning film, television, and theater. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role in "Cross Creek" and was recognized for his work in "Men in Black" and "The Larry Sanders Show." His portrayal of Artie on "The Larry Sanders Show" earned him an Emmy Award in 1996, following six consecutive nominations for the role.