Alan Arkin, the American actor who won an Oscar for his role as a heroin-using grandpa in the movie Little Miss Sunshine, has died. He was 89.
In a statement through Arkin’s publicist, his sons, Adam, Matthew and Anthony, said: “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 was known for his decades-long acting career on both the stage and screen.
A member of Chicago’s famed Second City comedy troupe, Arkin was an immediate success in movies with the Cold War spoof The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming and peaked late in life with his win as best supporting actor for the surprise 2006 hit Little Miss Sunshine. More than 40 years separated his first Oscar nomination, for The Russians Are Coming, from his nomination for playing a conniving Hollywood producer in the Oscar-winning Argo.
In recent years he starred opposite Michael Douglas in the Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method, a role that earned him two Emmy nominations.
Actor Michael McKean paid tribute to his friend with a joke on Twitter Friday.
“When I was a young actor people wanted to know if I wanted to be a serious actor or a funny one. I’d answer ‘Which kind is Alan Arkin?’ and that shut them up,” he wrote, adding, “Rest in peace, Alan. Nobody better, ever.”
Arkin died at his home in Carlsbad, Calif. on Thursday, Variety reported.
— With files from The Associated Press
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