Remembering Character Actor and Oscar Winner Alan Arkin Who Just Passed Away at 89

Looking Back at Roles of Alan Arkin, a One-of-a-Kind Character Actor

Academy Award-winning actor, Alan Arkin, recently passed away at the age of 89 and has left behind a very diverse, distinct and strong body of work.

With the recent death of four-time Academy Award nominee, Alan Arkin, a truly original talent will be deeply missed by moviegoers. Looking back at Arkin’s career in retrospect shows an actor of incredible range. He had some standout early roles in his distinguished career. For his turn in the 1966 movie, he was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor for The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. Just a couple of years later, he found himself up again for the same award for his leading work in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.

In 1997, Alan Arkin played the hilarious role of Dr. Oatman, a therapist who encourages a hitman (John Cusack) to attend his 10-year high school reunion. When asked by Cusack’s character if he should go to the reunion, Arkin replies, “Yes…Have some punch…don’t kill anybody for a few days.” The rapport between Cusack and Arkin was wonderful in one of the most underrated comedies of the 1990’s

Alan Arkin won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his work in 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine in one of the biggest upsets in recent history. Eddie Murphy was poised to take home the trophy for his work in Dreamgirls but Arkin’s name was surprisingly called. Arkin definitely deserved his honor for playing a grandfather and the inspiration for Abigail Breslin’s character in the film’s big dance number at the end of the film which was played to the song, “Super Freak.” Little Miss Sunshine was one of the biggest independent hits of its time. Arkin’s win represented the success of the film which had a cast that included Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette.

For his part in 2012’s Argo, Arkin was nominated again for Best Supporting Actor and, as the nominee from the film, represented a cast that included director Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman. Argo won Best Picture that year thanks in part to Arkin’s pivotal role in the movie.

In 2012, Arkin played opposite Al Pacino and Christopher Walken in the entertaining movie, Stand Up Guys, as well. In 2017, Arkin appeared in another ensemble comedy, Going in Style, which was directed by Zach Braff. Arkin appeared with screen legends Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman in that film. Going back to his older roles, some may remember Arkin from his humorous part in Edward Scissorhands as well.

A master in the art of comedy, Arkin always brought a keen sense of humor to his supporting roles and was a unique talent. If one saw him in a movie, one would know that it would be a treat watching him act whether the movie was merely OK or Best Picture material.

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