Arkin, Alan (1934-2023), was an American actor and director. Arkin won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for the motion picture Little Miss Sunshine (2006). In the film, he played the grandfather of a girl competing in a children’s beauty pageant. In 2019, Arkin received a star on Hollywood‘s Walk of Fame, a series of bronze stars set in the sidewalk and named for celebrities. 
Arkin was born on March 26, 1934, in New York City. He began his show business career as a member of the Tarriers folk singing group in the mid-1950’s. He gained attention as an actor while performing with the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, Illinois, in the early 1960’s. Arkin’s performance in the comedy play Enter Laughing (1963) won him praise and a Tony Award. It was his first appearance on Broadway. Arkin also won praise as a comic actor on Broadway in Luv (1965). Arkin directed a number of shows on and off Broadway, including Eh? (1966), Little Murders (1969), and The Sunshine Boys (1972).
Arkin’s other movies include The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966); Wait Until Dark (1967); Inspector Clouseau and The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (both 1968); and Catch-22 (1970). The latter two films are based on novels by the American writers Carson McCullers and Joseph Heller, respectively. Arkin also acted in Little Murders (1971), which he also directed; The In-Laws (1979); Glengarry Glen Ross (1992); Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001); Noel (2004); Rendition (2007); Get Smart (2008); Due Date (2010); Thin Ice (2011); Argo and Stand Up Guys (both 2012); The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013); and Million Dollar Arm (2014). Additionally, he appeared on the television series “The Kominsky Method” (2018-2021).
Arkin has written science-fiction stories, as well as books for younger readers. His autobiographical works include Halfway Through the Door: An Actor’s Journey Toward the Self (1979), An Improvised Life (2011), and Out of My Mind (2018, audiobook). His son Adam Arkin also became a successful actor. Alan Arkin died on June 29, 2023.
