Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ actor, dies at 89

LA (Associated Press) – Alan Arkin, a witty character actor who showed his range in comedy and drama while earning four Academy Award nominations and an Oscar in 2007 for "Little Miss Sunshine," has passed away. He was 89.

Through the actor's publicist on Friday, his sons Adam, Matthew, and Anthony provided confirmation of their father's passing. In a statement, they claimed that their father "was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man."

A member of Chicago's renowned Second City comedy group, Arkin achieved early film success with the Cold War parody "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" and reached his professional height in his later years when he won the best supporting actor Oscar for the unexpected 2006 hit "Little Miss Sunshine." His first Oscar nomination, for "The Russians are Coming," came more than 40 years after his nomination for his role as a cunning Hollywood producer in the Oscar-winning film "Argo."