Actor Alan Arkin, who won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine, has died. The 89-year-old star's death was confirmed by his agent.
As well as his 2006 Oscar win, Arkin received a number of Academy Award nods for his roles in The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Argo. He had worked with directors such as Tim Burton in Edward Scissorhands, Ben Affleck in Argo, and Mike Nichols in Catch-22.
In a statement, his sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony said: "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."
READ MORE: Kate Garraway reduced to tears after issuing warning after suffering near-malfunction on air
In Little Miss Sunshine Arkin played the cranky father of Greg Kinnear as he and the family set out on a road trip to take his daughter to a beauty pageant. The film also starred Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Bryan Cranston and won a writing award at the Oscars.
Arkin recently starred in the Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method, in which he played the agent of a formerly successful actor, who was played by Michael Douglas. As a musician, he also had two hits in the UK singles charts – Cindy Oh Cindy and The Banana Boat Song – through his group The Tarriers.
He directed the original 1972 Broadway version of Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys. His work earned him a Tony nod and the show ran for hundreds of performances.
On hearing of his death, many Hollywood stars took to Twitter to remember him. Paul Reiser, who worked alongside Arkin in The Kominsky Method said a "world without" Arkin is "not so great".
He added: "Getting to know him – and getting a laugh out of him – is a highlight of my life. RIP dear friend."
Better Call Saul star Michael McKean, who acted alongside Arkin in And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself, wrote: “Charming, hilarious, and armed with a flawless bullshit detector, he was pure pleasure to be with. Rest in peace, Alan. Nobody better, ever.”
Arkin was born in New York City in 1934 to Russian-German Jewish immigrant parents. He moved to Los Angeles when he was 11 and later studied acting at Los Angeles City College, California State University and Bennington College in Vermont.
He married a fellow student Jeremy Yaffe. The pair had two sons, Adam and Matthew, before they divorced in 1961.
Arkin then married actress-waiter Barabara Dana and went on to have a son, Anthony.
He is survived by his third wife Suzanne Newlander, sons Matthew, Anthony and Adam, grandchildren Molly, Emmet, Atticus and Abigail, and great-grandson Elliott.
