New Delhi: Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin has passed away. The prolific American actor known for comic and dramatic roles in films like 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Wait Until Dark', 'Argo' died at 89, Variety reported on Friday. As per the publication, Arkin's family released a statement stating the same Arkin passed away at his home in California on Thursday.
"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 wrote in a joint statement to People.
Alan Arkin was nominated for the Academy Award four times and also won a Tony Award( Broadway's top honour), in 1963.
Alan is also known for playing the role of a psychopathic killer in the Audrey Hepburn starrer 'Wait Until Dark' in 1967. He later said in interviews that he detested scenes in which his character terrorizes Hepburn saying, "I didn’t like being cruel to her. It made me very uncomfortable.”
Arkin later won a lot of appreciation for his performances in Carson McCullers 'The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter" in 1968, which also got him an Academy nomination for best actor. In 1970, again for his performance in 'Catch-22', he received wide acclaim, as again in the 2012 thriller 'Argo'.
Born in 1934 in New York City, Alan Wolf Arkin came from humble beginnings. He moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was 11. Arkin is survived by his family. During the 50's Red Scare in America, Arkin's parents were accused of being Communists, and his father was fired from his job when he refused to talk about his political leanings. David Arkin challenged his dismissal, but was vindicated only after his death.
Alan did a lot of drama studies and was a scholarship student at various academics where he picked up acting chops.