(Zeus) gives heart, humor and strength to the mighty ruler of the gods who controls the universe, yet is powerless to bring his missing son, Hercules, back to Mount Olympus. His fatherly advice sets Herc on the right path for a heavenly homecoming and the two ultimately join forces to save the planet from Hades' hostile takeover bid.
For the veteran actor, this was his first chance to do an animated voice. "I was very honored to be asked to do the voice of Zeus because I've always worshipped the Disney animated films. With six children, I've gotten to see lots of them and I know them all pretty well. As a father, I could also relate to Zeus. You have hopes for your children and you watch them struggle. I've always told my kids to persevere no matter what the problem; keep up the good fight and even if you don't win that particular battle, you're in better shape the next time because you stood the course. I find all those elements that are very human about this story, besides the fact that it is a great adventure story. We tried to make a very human Zeus."
Torn continues, "My dad, Elmore Torn, used to emphasize to me that if you had a well-trained and powerful voice, it would make you seem attractive even if you were funny looking. So I labored for many years to take the pitch in my voice out of my head and bring it down more into resonators and make a sound like a violin does. So that the vibrations are clearer. For the role of Zeus, I pitched the character more towards some of the tragic heroes I've played in Shakespeare with a bit more basso profundo and a lot more fun."
A talented film, stage and television actor, Torn has gained new acclaim and lots of fans in recent years for his acerbic portrayal of Arthur, the talk show producer on Garry Shandling's "The Larry Sanders Show." That popular role has earned him two straight CableAce Awards, the American Comedy Award, three consecutive Emmy nominations and finally an Emmy as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Currently starring with Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in "Men in Black," his recent film appearances include "How To Make An American Quilt" and "Down Periscope." He has also starred in such films as "Pork Chop Hill," "Sweet Bird of Youth," "King of Kings" and "The Cincinnati Kid."
Additionally, Torn is in the stage production of "Young Man From Atlanta," for which he received a Tony Award nomination. His Broadway repertoire also includes "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Anna Christie," "Strangers In The Land of Canaan" and the off-Broadway stagings of "Chaparral" and "Desire Under the Elms."
In live television, he was a top performer from 1957 to 1960 with such shows as "Omnibus," "Kraft Theatre," "Playhouse 90," "Hallmark Hall of Fame" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."
Born Elmore Rual Torn Jr., in Temple, Texas, the son of Elmore and Thelma (Spacek), Torn always preferred the nickname "Rip," which he acquired from his father.
