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Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ actor, dies at 89

June 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Alan Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in comedy and drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for “Little Miss Sunshine,” has died. He was 89.

His sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony confirmed their father’s death through the actor’s publicist on Friday. “Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man,” they said in a statement.

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.

Arkin once joked to The Associated Press that the beauty of being a character actor was not having to take his clothes off for a role. He wasn’t a sex symbol or superstar, but was rarely out of work, appearing in more than 100 TV and feature films. His trademarks were likability, relatability and complete immersion in his roles, no matter how unusual, whether playing a Russian submarine officer in “The Russians are Coming” who struggles to communicate with the equally jittery Americans, or standing out as the foul-mouthed, drug-addicted grandfather in “Little Miss Sunshine.”

FILE – Alan Arkin poses with the Oscar he won for best supporting actor for his work in “Little Miss Sunshine” at the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in comedy and drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for “Little Miss Sunshine,” has died. He was 89. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Michael Douglas, left, and Alan Arkin attend the world premiere of “The Kominsky Method” during the 2018 AFI Fest at the Egyptian Theatre on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

In this Nov. 7, 2018 photo, Alan Arkin, left, and Michael Douglas, cast members in the Netflix comedy series “The Kominsky Method,” pose for a portrait at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The pair play Hollywood veterans facing the indignities of aging in a change-of-pace comedy-drama from sitcom hitmaker Chuck Lorre. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Michael Douglas, left, and Alan Arkin pose in the press room with the award for best television series, musical or comedy for “The Kominsky Method” at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin attends the ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

Rana Ghadban and Alan Arkin attend a ceremony honoring Alan Arkin with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

Suzanne Arkin and Alan Arkin attend a ceremony honoring Alan Arkin with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin, Suzanne Newlander Arkin arrive at the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin, a cast member in the Netflix film “Spenser Confidential,” poses at the world premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Alan Arkin, a cast member in the Netflix film “Spenser Confidential,” poses with his wife, Suzanne, at the world premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

FILE – Comedian Carol Burnett and actor Alan Arkin appear during the filming of a special “Carol Burnett Show” in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 1979. Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in comedy and drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for “Little Miss Sunshine,” has died. He was 89. (AP Photo/George Brich, File)

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“Alan’s never had an identifiable screen personality because he just disappears into his characters,” director Norman Jewison of “The Russians are Coming” once observed. “His accents are impeccable, and he’s even able to change his looks. … He’s always been underestimated, partly because he’s never been in service of his own success.”

While still with Second City, Arkin was chosen by Carl Reiner to play the young protagonist in the 1963 Broadway play “Enter Laughing,” based on Reiner’s semi-autobiographical novel.

He attracted strong reviews and the notice of Jewison, who was preparing to direct a 1966 comedy about a Russian sub that creates a panic when it ventures too close to a small New England town. In Arkin’s next major film, he proved he could also play a villain, however reluctantly. Arkin starred in “Wait Until Dark” as a vicious drug dealer who holds a blind woman (Audrey Hepburn) captive in her own apartment, believing a drug shipment is hidden there.

He recalled in a 1998 interview how difficult it was to terrorize Hepburn’s character.

“Just awful,” he said. “She was an exquisite lady, so being mean to her was hard.”

1968’s “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” in which he played a sensitive man who could not hear or speak, again elevated Arkin’s status in Hollywood. He starred as the bumbling French detective in “Inspector Clouseau” that same year, but the film would become overlooked in favor of Peter Sellers’ Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” movies.

Arkin’s career as a character actor continued to blossom when Mike Nichols, a fellow Second City alumnus, cast him in the starring role as Rossarian, the victim of wartime red tape in 1970’s “Catch-22,” based on Joseph Heller’s million-selling novel. Through the years, Arkin turned up in such favorites as “Edward Scissorhands,” playing Johnny Depp’s neighbor; and in the film version of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” as a dogged real estate salesman. He and Reiner played brothers, one successful (Reiner), one struggling (Arkin), in the 1998 film “The Slums of Beverly Hills.”

Alan Arkin from the film “The Convincer” poses for a portrait in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Victoria Will)

Alan Arkin arrives at the world premiere of “Million Dollar Arm” on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Actor Alan Arkin arrives at the world premiere of the feature film “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, March 11, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin and his wife Suzanne Arkin arrive for the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. Arkin won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in “Little Miss Sunshine.” (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 07: Actor/Director/Producer Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, and Alan Arkin at Warner Bros. “Argo” Premiere At 2012 Toronto International Film Festival held at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP Images)

In this Monday, March 11, 2013 photo, Alan Arkin, left, and Steve Carell pose for a portrait for the film, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” at the Hotel Amarano, in Los Angeles. The two actors lit up an empty suite at a hotel down the street from Warner Bros. studios with their warm rapport, reminiscing about working together on Wonderstone and their past projects, Get Smart and Little Miss Sunshine (for which Arkin won the supporting actor Oscar). (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin at New Line Cinema’s World Premiere of ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’ held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Monday, Mar., 11, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for New Line Cinema/AP Images)

Actor Alan Arkin, left, and his wife, Suzanne Newlander Arkin arrive at the world premiere of the feature film “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, March 11, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)

Actor Alan Arkin arrives at the LA premiere of “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, March 11, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin and Steve Carell pose for a portrait for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone at the Hotel Amarano on Monday, Mar. 11, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP)

Castmembers from “Argo”, from left, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman and Ben Affleck speak onstage at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Christopher Walken, from left, Alan Arkin, Julianna Margulies and Al Pacino attend the premiere of “Stand Up Guys” hosted by The Cinema Society and Chrysler on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Christopher Walken, left, and Alan Arkin attend the premiere of “Stand Up Guys” hosted by The Cinema Society and Chrysler on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Alan Arkin, center, shakes hands with Arlene Golonka in a scene from the television speciall The Love Song of Barney Kempinski being filmed at New Yorks Rockefeller Plaza, June 24, 1966. Arkin, whose fame shot skyward after his performance in the movie The Russians Are Coming, and Miss Golonka play the starring roles in the special. (AP Photo/Jerry Mosey)

Actor Alan Arkin and his wife Barbara are shown at their home in Westchester County, New York, June 12, 1979 . (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff)

Actor Alan Arkin and comedienne Carol Burnett hold hands and look astonished during the filming of a special Carol Burnett show in Los Angeles, Aug. 10, 1979 for the fall season. (AP Photo/George Brich)

Actor Alan Arkin, relaxing during an interview in New York, Oct. 7, 1985, is currently starring in the film Joshua Then and Now. He has two more movies opening in the fall and is planning to return to the New York theater for the first time in about five years to direct Jung on the West Side. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)

Actors Alan Arkin and his wife, Barbara Dana, pose together during a recent interview with the Associated Press in New York, March 17, 1987. The pair have worked together on stage, public television and in movies. This season they took the unusual step of co-starring in a network situation comedy. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Cast members, from left, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, and Steve Carell pose together at the premiere of “Get Smart” in Los Angeles on Monday, June 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Alan Arkin and Meryl Streep share a moment during an after-party for the premiere of “Rendition” in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Actor Alan Arkin and wife Suzanne Newlander Arkin arrive to the premiere of “Rendition” in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Actors Forest Whitaker, left, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren and Alan Arkin pose backstage with their Oscars during the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. Whitaker and Mirren won for best actor and Hudson and Arkin won for best supporting actor. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Best Actors Forest Whitaker, left, Best Supporting Actress Jennifer Hudson, Best Actress Helen Mirren and Best Supporting Actor Alan Arkin pose backstage with their Oscars during the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Alan Arkin poses with the Oscar he won for best supporting actor for his work in “Little Miss Sunshine” at the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Rachel Weisz talks to Alan Arkin backstage during the 79th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Rachel Weisz presents Alan Arkin the Oscar for best supporting actor for his work in “Little Miss Sunshine” during the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Alan Arkin walks off stage with Rachel Weisz after accepting the award for best supporting actor for his work in “Little Miss Sunshine” during the 79th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Actor Alan Arkin accepts the award for best supporting male for his role in “Little Miss Sunshine” at the 2007 Spirit Awards Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

(L-R) Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin hold their awards for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for their work in “Little Miss Sunshine,” at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Actor Alan Arkin poses in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006. Arkin has been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award as best supporting actor for his role as Grandpa in the indie film “Little Miss Sunshine.” (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Greg Kinnear, left, Alan Arkin, center, and Paul Dano accept the award for best acting ensemble for their work on “Little Miss Sunshine,” during the 12th annual Critics’ Choice Awards on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

From left to right: actor Greg Kinnear, co-director Jonathan Dayton, actors Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin, and co-director Valerie Faris, pose for photographers during red-carpet arrivals at the New York premiere of their new film “Little Miss Sunshine”, Tuesday, July 25, 2006. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)

Members from the film “Little Miss Sunshine” hold the chairman’s vanguard award backstage during the 18th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. From left are writer Michael Arndt, actor Alan Arkin, actress Abigail Breslin, director Valerie Faris, and director Jonathan Dayton. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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“I used to think that my stuff had a lot of variety. But I realized that for the first twenty years or so, most of the characters I played were outsiders, strangers to their environment, foreigners in one way or another,” he told The Associated Press in 2007.

“As I started to get more and more comfortable with myself, that started to shift. I got one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever gotten from someone a few days ago. They said that they thought my characters were very often the heart, the moral center of a film. I didn’t particularly understand it, but I liked it; it made me happy.”

Other recent credits included “Going in Style,” a 2017 remake featuring fellow Oscar winners Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, and “The Kominsky Method.” He played a Hollywood talent agent and friend of Douglas’ character, a once-promising actor who ran an acting school after his career sputtered.

Arkin also directed the film version of Jules Feiffer’s 1971 dark comedy “Little Murders” and Neil Simon’s 1972 play about bickering old vaudeville partners, “The Sunshine Boys.” On television, Arkin appeared in the short-lived series “Fay” and “Harry” and played a night court judge in Sidney Lumet’s drama series “100 Centre Street” on A&E. He also wrote several books for children.

Born in New York City’s borough of Brooklyn, he and his family, which included two younger brothers, moved to Los Angeles when he was 11. His parents found jobs as teachers, but were fired during the post-World War II Red Scare because they were Communists.

“We were dirt poor so I couldn’t afford to go to the movies often,” he told the AP in 1998. “But I went whenever I could and focused in on movies, as they were more important than anything in my life.”

He studied acting at Los Angeles City College; California State University, Los Angeles; and Bennington College in Vermont, where he earned a scholarship to the formerly all-girls school.

He married a fellow student, Jeremy Yaffe, and they had two sons, Adam and Matthew.

After he and Yaffe divorced in 1961, Arkin married actress-writer Barbara Dana, and they had a son, Anthony. All three sons became actors: Adam starred in the TV series “Chicago Hope.”

“It was certainly nothing that I pushed them into,” Arkin said in 1998. “It made absolutely no difference to me what they did, as long as it allowed them to grow.”

Arkin began his entertainment career as an organizer and singer with The Tarriers, a group that briefly rode the folk musical revival wave of the late 1950s. Later, he turned to stage acting, off-Broadway and always in dramatic roles.

At Second City, he worked with Nichols, Elaine May, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara and others in creating intellectual, high-speed impromptu riffs the fads and follies of the day.

“I never knew that I could be funny until I joined Second City,” he said.

The late AP Entertainment writer Bob Thomas provided biographical material for this story.

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Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ actor, dies at 89

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