Alan Arkin, a uniquely talented force of nature whose wit, charm, and versatility on stage and screen brought joy to audiences for seven decades. A beloved father and grandfather, his legacy as an artist and a man lives on.

Alan Arkin, a renowned actor who captivated audiences for seven decades, sadly passed away on June 29, 2023, at his home in Carlsbad, California. He was 89 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Arkin began his career in entertainment as a stage performer. He was an early member of the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago and made his Broadway debut in "From the Second City" in 1961. He won a Tony Award for his starring role in Joseph Stein’s comedy "Enter Laughing" just two years later.

Arkin's talents were recognized early in his career. He earned his first Emmy nomination in 1967 for the “ABC Stage 67” episode “The Love Song of Barney Kempinski,” the same year he received his first Oscar nomination for his debut film, "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming."

He remained active in television despite the success of his film career, earning Emmy nominations for performances in the Holocaust-themed CBS telepic “Escape From Sobibor,” a guest appearance on “Chicago Hope,” and the telepic “The Pentagon Papers.” Most recently, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in the Netflix series “The Kominsky Method,” in which he starred alongside Michael Douglas.

Arkin's cinema work is extensive and varied. He is perhaps best remembered for his Oscar-winning performance in the indie comedy “Little Miss Sunshine” and for his role in Ben Affleck’s best picture winner “Argo,” which earned him another Oscar nomination. Other notable roles included a deaf-mute character in "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter," which earned him his second Oscar nomination, and a psycho terrorizing a blind Audrey Hepburn in "Wait Until Dark." He also starred in "Catch-22," "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," "Freebie and the Bean," and portrayed Sigmund Freud in "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution."

Arkin's career was marked by his ability to project a characteristically dry wit while also playing tragedy with equal efficacy. His roles were diverse, ranging from a foul-mouthed, heroin-snorting grandfather in "Little Miss Sunshine" to a Hollywood veteran in "Argo," showcasing his impressive versatility as an actor.

Arkin's sons, Adam, Matthew, and Anthony, described him as a "uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man."

Arkin died at his home in Carlsbad, California, on June 29, 2023, at the age of 89. He had a history of heart problems.