Alan Arkin, an Oscar-winning actor with a body of work that spans seven decades, died June 29 at his home in Carlsbad, CA. He was 89.
His Early Life
Alan Wolf Arkin was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 1934, the son of David I. Arkin, a painter and writer, and his wife, Beatrice, a teacher. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, Russia, and Germany
His parents moved to Los Angeles when Alan was 11, and he took acting lessons, becoming a scholarship student at various drama academies.
Arkin was an early member of the Second City comedy troupe in the 1960s, and he also made his Broadway debut as a performer in “From the Second City” at the Royale Theatre in 1961.
In 1963, he starred on Broadway as David Kolowitz in Joseph Stein’s comedic play Enter Laughing, for which he won the Tony Award for “Best Featured Actor in a Play,” and a Theatre World Award.
In 1966 he starred in Norman Jewison’s comedy film “The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming” opposite Carl Reiner, and Eva Marie Saint, for which he received a Golden Globe Award for “Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy,” and both a Academy Award nomination for “Best Actor,” and a BAFTA Award nomination for “Most Promising Newcomer.”
In 1967, he appeared in the television anthology “ABC Stage 67,” for which he was nominated for an Emmy for the first time.
He also received an Academy Award-nomination for “Best Actor” for the 1968 film “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” and the following year, his directorial debut was the Oscar-nominated 12-minute children’s film titled “People Soup,” starring his sons Adam Arkin and Matthew Arkin.
He continued to act in acclaimed roles throughout the 70s and 80s, in films such as the Mike Nichols 1970 film “Catch-22,” 1979’s “The In-Laws,” and 1987’s television film “Escape from Sobibor,” for which he received his second Emmy-nomination.
His Disney Roles
Arkin first acted in a Disney film with 1991’s “The Rocketeer,” from Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures, playing airplane mechanic Peevy.
He later co-starred in 1997’s “Grosse Pointe Blank,” released by Buena Vista Pictures, as Dr. Oatman.
In 2006, he played Bud Newman, the father of Carol aka Mrs. Claus, in the holiday film “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause,” released by Walt Disney Pictures.
2011 saw Arkin appear in “The Muppets” reboot with Jason Segel, playing the Muppet Studios tour guide, for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It was his second appearance with The Muppets, as he appeared in a 1980 episode of the original show (episode 420) where he accidentally drinks Bunsen Honeydew’s Jekyll-and-Hyde potion, and turns into a rampaging monster.
Three years later he co-starred in the baseball sports drama “Million Dollar Arm” (2014) with Jon Hamm, playing Ray Poitevint, for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
His final Disney role was as J. Griffin Remington in Tim Burton’s live-action remake of “Dumbo” (2019) for Walt Disney Pictures.
Other Highlights
In 2006, Arkin appeared in a supporting role in the indie film, “Little Miss Sunshine,” as a foul-mouthed grandfather, which won him his first Academy Award, along with a BAFTA award, both for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role.”
In 2012, he appeared in a supporting role as a Hollywood agent Lester Siegel in Ben Affleck’s drama “Argo,” for which he received his fourth Academy Award nomination.
Arkin occasionally guested on series, doing an arc on “St. Elsewhere” in 1983 as the husband of a stroke victim played by Piper Laurie; appearing in 1997 on “Chicago Hope” (on which son Adam was a series regular); and guesting on “Will & Grace” in 2005.
From 2018 to 2019 he starred opposite Michael Douglas in the Netflix series “The Kominsky Method,” for which he received two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominations, two Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film nominations, and four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
His last role was voicing the character Wild Knuckles in the 2022 animated film “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
Among his final accolades? A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.
Arkin’s sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony – all actors – said in a joint statement, “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.”
He is also survived by third wife, Suzanne Newlander Arkin, whom he married in 1999.