Actor Rip Torn Breaks the Bank…Literally

By our guest blogger, Lita Robinson

Rip Torn, the 78-year-old comic actor whose recent successes include “Dodgeball” and “30 Rock,” was arrested Friday night for allegedly breaking into a Connecticut bank while both intoxicated and toting a gun without a permit.

According to TMZ, Torn was arrested after police discovered him, accompanied by a loaded revolver, on the floor of the bank after having broken a window to get in. No one else was in the bank at the time, the gun was not fired, and Torn did not take anything. Local authorities apparently believe that Torn busted his way into the bank because he “thought he was in his own house.” Whether Torn’s usual coming-home routine involves breaking glass and packing heat have not been determined. However, the actor was thoughtful enough to reportedly have left his hat and boots by the door after breaking the window to gain entry.

Torn, real first name Elmore, remained in police custody through the weekend, and was charged with, among other things, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass, and something you’d think wouldn’t require an actual law to discourage it--carrying a firearm while intoxicated. Torn’s blood-alcohol content was over twice the legal limit at the time of his arrest.

Torn did not enter a plea during his Monday court date in Connecticut, but was released on $100,000 bond, at which point he reportedly “smiled and waved to onlookers as he exited the court.” His next court date is February 17, but his attorney has told the press that Torn may in fact head back to rehab as early as this Tuesday.