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Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning star of 'Little Miss Sunshine,' dead at 89

Rebecca Cohen   

Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning star of 'Little Miss Sunshine,' dead at 89
  • Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin has died at 89 years old.
  • He died at his home in Carlsbad, California, on Thursday, Variety reported.

Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin has died, his publicist told Insider. He was 89 years old.

The Hollywood giant died at his home in Carlsbad, California on Thursday, according to Variety, which first reported his death.

"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's sons Adam, Matthew, and Anthony said in a joint statement shared with Variety and Insider.

Arkin, born in Brooklyn, New York on March 26, 1934, had a catalog of work that spanned seven decades in Hollywood.

He made his Broadway debut as David Kolowitz in "Enter Laughing," earning his first-ever Tony Award for best featured actor in a play in 1963. In subsequent years, Arkin directed the following Broadway plays: "Hail Scrawdyke," "The Sunshine Boys," "Molly," and "Taller Than a Dwarf." He earned a Tony nomination for best direction of a play ("The Sunshine Boys") in 1973.

Arkin was known for his ability to deliver strong comedic performances as well as dramatic turns, both in film and TV.

He earned his first Oscar nomination for his leading role in the 1966 "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming." Arkin earned additional Academy Award nominations for his roles in "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter," "Little Miss Sunshine," and "Argo." He won his Oscar for his role as Edwin Hoover in "Little Miss Sunshine," the 2006 critically acclaimed comedy.

Arkin was also a six-time Primetime Emmy nominee, more recently for his supporting role as Norman Newlander on "The Kominsky Method."

He is survived by his wife Suzanne, sons Matthew, Anthony, and Adam, grandchildren Molly, Emmet, Atticus, and Abigail, and great-grandson Elliott.




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