Arkin’s sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony announced the passing of their father on Friday (30 June). They released a statement from their family to People magazine.
The statement read: “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.”
The tragic news comes only days after actor Julian Sands was confirmed dead.
(L-R) Alan Arkin and Suzanne Newlander Arkin attend the Premiere of Netflix’s “Spenser Confidential” at Regency Village Theatre on February 27, 2020 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Arkin was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 1934 to Jewish immigrant parents from Russia and Germany. His father was an artist and a writer while his mother was a teacher. The family relocated to Los Angeles when Arkin was a child.
The actor made his on-screen debut in an uncredited role in Fred Sears’s Calypso Heat Wave in 1957.
Arkin was also a popular Broadway actor. He made his debut in From the Second City in 1961 and later won a Tony for his performance in the comedy Enter Laughing in 1963. He was an early member of the Chicago-based comedy troupe Second City.
“Second City saved my life. It literally saved my life. I have a feeling it’s true for a lot of other people, too,” Arkin said of the troupe’s effect on him.
Martin Sheen and Alan Arkin watch bombs go off in a scene from the film ‘Catch 22’, 1970. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)
Most will remember Arkin as a screen actor. His first Oscar nomination came in Norman Jewison’s 1966 comedy The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming. His second nomination came only two years later with his performance in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, being nominated for Best Actor.
His third nomination and only win came in 2006 for his heartbreaking and funny supporting role in Little Miss Sunshine, in which he played the heroin-addicted grandfather Edwin. He would also be nominated for his role in Ben Affleck’s Argo.
Arkin also earned a total of six Primetime Emmy nominations, most recently for his role in Netflix’s The Kominsky Method in 2019 and 2020. The Kominsky Method also brought him two Golden Globe nominations, on top of his existing five previous nods.
Arkin appeared in well over 100 feature films in his career, leaving a lasting impression in the film industry. He continued to act until 2022, with his final film role being a voice role in Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Little Miss Sunshine brought Arkin an Oscar win. Credit: Searchlight Pictures
Arkin will be remembered as a true giant of the silver screen. His roles were varied, but he always brought wit and humour to each part he played. His exceptional, distinct voice made him a great voice actor, but he often played roles where he got to be fabulously grumpy. He played Winona Ryder’s father in Edward Scissorhands and John Cusack’s therapist in Grosse Point Blanke with wonderful directness and honesty.
Arkin was married three times: to Jeremy Yaffe between 1955 and 1961, Barbara Dana between 1964 and 1994, and to Suzanne Newlander since 1996. Arkin is survived by Newlander as well as his sons.
