Kevin Pollak names Rip Torn as the craziest actor he ever worked with

Kevin Pollak told The Rich Eisen Show on Oct. 18, 2026 that the late Rip Torn was the craziest actor he ever worked with, citing a string of bizarre incidents from the 1995 comedy Canadian Bacon.

The revelation matters because it provides a rare glimpse into the unpredictable behavior of a well‑known Hollywood character actor, adding depth to the public’s understanding of behind‑the‑scenes dynamics that shape film productions.

Pollak described how Torn would decide each day that someone in the cast or crew was "out to get him," creating an atmosphere of constant tension. He said Torn repeatedly boasted about being on former President Richard Nixon’s enemies list, a line he would repeat until a co‑star asked, "What did you do?" Pollak quipped that no one wanted to ask.

One of the most vivid anecdotes involved a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Pollak noted that fellow actor Kevin O’Connor and his new wife lodged next door and repeatedly heard Torn shouting through the thin walls. After weeks of listening, the couple compiled a top‑ten list of Torn’s most memorable lines, including a bizarre command to a hooker: "I said milk it like a cow."

Pollak also recalled Torn’s penchant for invoking his alleged placement on Nixon’s list during every lull in conversation, saying, "If a day also went by without Rip Torn saying, ‘I was on Nixon’s list,’ all right, we got it."

Beyond the on‑set anecdotes, the interview highlighted Torn’s extensive career: an Academy Award nomination for Cross Creek, prominent roles in Men in Black and The Larry Sanders Show, and six consecutive Emmy nominations for his work on the latter, winning the award in 1996. Torn passed away in 2019.

Pollak’s comments, delivered with the typical humor of his own career on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, underscore how even seasoned actors can encounter colleagues whose larger‑than‑life personalities shape the production experience in unforgettable ways.

The interview aired as part of a broader discussion about memorable Hollywood moments, and Pollak’s candid recollections may prompt further stories from other actors who crossed paths with Torn during his prolific career.