Alan Arkin: Oscar-winning actor who starred in Little Miss Sunshine and Argo has died aged 89

Oscar-winning American actor Alan Arkin has died at the age of 89.

Arkin was named best supporting actor for his role in Little Miss Sunshine at the Academy Awards in 2007.

He was also nominated for an Oscar in the best supporting actor category for Argo.

Arkin died on Friday at his home in Carlsbad, California, according to Variety.

His sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony 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.”

Arkin appeared in more than 100 films and TV shows and was nominated for an Academy Award four times.

Michael McKean, an actor who starred in This Is Spinal Tap and Better Call Saul, was among those paying tribute.

He wrote on Twitter: “When I was a young actor people wanted to know if I wanted to be a serious actor or a funny one. I’d answer ‘Which kind is Alan Arkin?’ and that shut them up.”

He added: “Charming, hilarious, and armed with a flawless b******* detector, he was pure pleasure to be with. Rest in peace, Alan. Nobody better, ever.”

Aliens and Beverly Hills Cop actor Paul Reiser also wrote: “A world without Alan Arkin is… not so great…

“Getting to know him – and getting a laugh out of him – is a highlight of my life. RIP dear friend.”

Arkin was initially turned down for his award-winning role in Little Miss Sunshine because the directors thought he looked too fit and healthy.

In the film, he played a foul-mouthed 80-year-old grandfather who was frail and shaky from years of drug abuse.

“It’s the best rejection I ever got in my life – they thought I was too virile,” Arkin told The New York Times in a 2007 interview – during which he jokingly flexed his biceps and struck a bodybuilder pose.

He landed his first Oscar nomination – for best actor – in his debut major film role in 1966, when he played a Soviet sailor in Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

Arkin was praised for his performance as a psychopathic killer in the 1967 film Wait Until Dark opposite Audrey Hepburn.

He later said the experience made him feel uncomfortable because he “didn’t like being cruel to her”.

Arkin’s big screen appearances also included the 1970 film version of Catch-22, Edward Scissorhands in 1990 and Grosse Pointe Blank in 1997.

Most recently, he voiced the character of villain Wild Knuckles in last year’s animated hit Minions: The Rise of Gru.

He earned Emmy nominations for the TV series The Kominsky Method, also starring Michael Douglas, which debuted in 2018.

Arkin was also a director, author and stage performer, winning a Tony Award in 1963 for his major role in Carl Reiner’s Enter Laughing.