American actor Alan Arkin, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a grandfather who uses heroin in the 2006 movie "Little Miss Sunshine," has passed away at the age of 89, according to his family. Arkin was known for his versatility and prowess in both comedic and dramatic roles."Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man. A loving husband, father, grand and great grandfather, he was adored and will be deeply missed," Arkin's sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony wrote in a joint statement.
Over the course of a more than 65-year career, Arkin made a lasting impression on the entertainment world and received numerous nominations for Academy Awards and Emmys in recognition of his extraordinary talent.
In a statement to People magazine, his sons confirmed his passing, expressing their profound sorrow and praising their father as an extraordinarily talented force of nature both on and off the screen.
Alan Arkin, Oscar Winner for 'Little Miss Sunshine,' Dies at 89 https://t.co/I56uWLD917
— Variety (@Variety) June 30, 2023
They spoke fondly of him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, highlighting the significant influence he had on their lives. Social media was used by actors and friends to honour Arkin and recognise his contributions to comedy and acting.
Arkin remained active in film and television well into his 80s. He won praise and Emmy nominations for the TV series "The Kominsky Method," also starring Michael Douglas, that debuted in 2018. Some of Arkin's other films included "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" in 1976, "The In-Laws" in 1979, "Edward Scissorhands" in 1990, "Glengarry Glen Ross" in 1992, "Grosse Pointe Blank" in 1997, "The Slums of Beverly Hills" in 1998, "Get Smart" in 2008, "Sunshine Cleaning" in 2008, "Stand Up Guys" in 2012 and "Going in Style" in 2017.
Not all his movies fared well. For example, he said he did "Freebie and the Bean" in 1974 because "I needed the bread." Born in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of New York City on March 26, 1934, Alan Wolf Arkin's family relocated to Los Angeles when he was 11 years old. During the "Red Scare" of the 1950s, his father, a painter and author, lost his position as a teacher after being accused of being a communist.
Arkin performed in a folk group that had a hit rendition of the 1950s single "The Banana Boat Song," made popular by Harry Belafonte, and was a founding member of Chicago's influential improvisational comedy group Second City. In addition, Arkin directed films and plays, appeared frequently on television, and published a number of books. In addition to his wife Suzanne, Arkin is survived by his three sons, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
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