Alan Arkin, the witty character actor renowned for his incredible range from comedic roles to intense drama, has passed away at the age of 89. He received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar throughout his illustrious career. In a statement to People, Arkin’s sons Adam, Matthew, and Anthony expressed their heartfelt tribute, describing their father as a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and as a man. Arkin, a member of Chicago’s acclaimed Second City comedy troupe, captivated audiences with his exceptional performances in films like The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! and Little Miss Sunshine, for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2007.
Born in Brooklyn, Arkin and his family relocated to Los Angeles when he was 11. Unfortunately, his parents, who were Communists, lost their teaching jobs during the post-World War II Red Scare. Despite their financial struggles, Arkin developed a passion for movies, considering them to be the most important aspect of his life. He pursued acting in college and married a fellow student, Jeremy Yaffe, with whom he had two sons, Adam and Matthew. After their divorce in 1961, Arkin married actress-writer Barbara Dana, and they had a son named Anthony. All three of Arkin’s sons followed in their father’s footsteps and became actors. Arkin emphasized that he never pressured them to pursue acting, as long as their chosen path allowed them to grow.
Arkin once humorously remarked that one of the perks of being a character actor was not having to take off his clothes for a role. He may not have been a sex symbol or a superstar, but he maintained consistent work, appearing in over 100 TV shows and films. His trademarks were his likability, relatability, and his ability to completely embody his characters, no matter how unconventional. Director Norman Jewison once commented that Alan Arkin did not have an identifiable screen personality because he seamlessly blended into his characters. During his time at Second City, Arkin was selected by Carl Reiner for the lead role in the 1963 Broadway play Enter Laughing, earning him a Tony award. He garnered critical acclaim and caught the attention of Jewison, who later cast him in a comedy about a Russian sub in 1966.
Arkin’s career reached new heights in 1968 with The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, where he portrayed a sensitive character who was deaf and mute. He continued to thrive with notable roles in films like Edward Scissorhands, Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Slums of Beverly Hills, where he and Reiner played brothers. His recent credits include the 2017 remake of Going In Style and the Netflix series The Kominsky Method, alongside Michael Douglas. Arkin also lent his voice to the character of Wild Knuckles in the 2022 animated film Minions: The Rise of Gru. Fellow actor Michael McKean summed up Arkin’s impact, stating that when people asked him whether he wanted to be a serious or funny actor, he would respond with “Which kind is Alan Arkin?” This statement encapsulates the sheer talent and versatility of a beloved actor who will be greatly missed.
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