Before he found his new calling in comedy, Rip was often known as a heavy in numerous TV shows (guest appearances) and movies. He played generals, thugs and even Tricky Dick. Believe it or not, he was also in David Bowie’s The Man Who Fell to Earth as the scientist who discovers the protagonist’s secret and hands him over the government to be tortured. The main role I grew up with him playing was the evil priest Maax in the hilariously bad Fantasy movie The Beastmaster starring Marc Singer.
Rip’s career experienced its comical shift in Albert Brooks’ fantastic comedy Defending Your Life in which Rip was Albert’s attorney. Check it out. You will laugh your butt off, especially when Rip trick Albert during a meal.
Thanks to Defending, Garry Shandling picked him specifically to play Artie, the embattled, caustic yet frank executive producer of the talk show at the center of The Larry Sanders Show. The things Artie would say to keep Larry focused, Hank cowed, the staff under control and the network at bay were some of the funniest TV HBO ever made. This role led to Rip loaning that deep voice and those Texas mannerisms to numerous other good and crappy comedies: Hercules, Men in Black, Dodgeball, Down Periscope and 30 Rock. He still did drama though. I kept expecting the Artie voice to come out in the Disney cartoon, “Stop being such a pussy Hercules! Go beat up Hades for chrissake! You’re my son, the son of a god!”
Thanks for everything Rip. You had a great name and whenever Artie would chew out Hank on Larry, you made HBO worth the extra cost on the cable bill.