Alan Arkin, a highly versatile and acclaimed character actor renowned for his comedic and dramatic prowess, passed away at the age of 89. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having received four Academy Award nominations and winning an Oscar in 2007 for his exceptional performance in the beloved film “Little Miss Sunshine.”
On Friday, Alan Arkin’s sons, Adam, Matthew, and Anthony, confirmed their father’s demise through his publicist. In a heartfelt statement, they expressed that their father was an extraordinary force of nature, both as an artist and as a man.
Arkin began his career as a member of Chicago’s renowned Second City comedy troupe. He quickly achieved success in the film industry with his role in the Cold War satire “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming.” However, it was later in life that Arkin reached the pinnacle of his career, earning critical acclaim and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in the surprise hit “Little Miss Sunshine” in 2006. Remarkably, over 40 years spanned his first Oscar nomination for “The Russians Are Coming” and his nomination for portraying a conniving Hollywood producer in the Oscar-winning film “Argo.”
In recent years, Arkin captivated audiences with his portrayal opposite Michael Douglas in the Netflix comedy series “The Kominsky Method,” a role that garnered him two Emmy nominations.
Arkin was known for his self-deprecating humor, once jesting to The Associated Press about the advantages of being a character actor and not having to disrobe for a role. While he may not have been a sex symbol or superstar, he consistently found work, appearing in over 100 television and feature film productions.
His trademarks were his likability, relatability, and complete immersion in his roles, no matter how unconventional. Whether he played a Russian submarine officer in “The Russians Are Coming” struggling to communicate with jittery Americans or the foul-mouthed, drug-addicted grandfather in “Little Miss Sunshine,” Arkin’s commitment to his characters was unwavering.
Director Norman Jewison, who worked with Arkin on “The Russians Are Coming,” once observed that Alan never had an identifiable screen persona because he effortlessly blended into his characters. He possessed impeccable accents and could alter his appearance to suit a role. Arkin’s talents were often underestimated, partly because he never sought personal success above serving his art.
During his time with Second City, Arkin caught the attention of Carl Reiner, who cast him as the young protagonist in the 1963 Broadway play “Enter Laughing,” based on Reiner’s semi-autobiographical novel.
Arkin’s standout performance led to his collaboration with Jewison in the 1966 comedy “The Russians Are Coming” and his venture into playing a reluctant villain in “Wait Until Dark” in the same year. In the latter film, he portrayed a vicious drug dealer who holds a blind woman captive, a role he found challenging due to Audrey Hepburn’s exquisite nature.
Arkin’s career continued to thrive with the critically acclaimed film “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” in 1968, where he portrayed a sensitive man unable to hear or speak. That same year, he showcased his comedic talents as the bumbling French detective in “Inspector Clouseau.” However, the latter film was overshadowed by Peter Sellers’ iconic portrayal of Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” movies.
One of Arkin’s notable roles came in 1970 when Mike Nichols, another Second City alumnus, cast him as the lead in “Catch-22,” a film based on Joseph Heller’s bestselling novel. Throughout his career, Arkin appeared in beloved films such as “Edward Scissorhands,” where he played Johnny Depp’s neighbor and the film adaptation of David Mam
