Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysHalloween PicksScary Good HorrorHispanic Heritage MonthMAMISTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Alan Arkin(1934-2023)

  • Actor
  • Director
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000307
Alan Arkin
Take a closer look at the various roles Alan Arkin has played throughout his acting career.
Play clip1:47
Alan Arkin | Career Retrospective
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
Alan Arkin was an Academy Award-winning American actor who was also an acclaimed director, producer, author, singer and composer.

He was born Alan Wolf Arkin on March 26, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York. His family were Jewish emigrants from Russia and Germany. In 1946, the Arkins moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, California. His father, David I. Arkin, was an artist and writer, who worked as a teacher, and lost his job for merely refusing to answer questions about his political affiliation during the 1950s Red Scare. His father challenged the politically biased dismissal and eventually prevailed, but unfortunately it was after his death. His mother, Beatrice (Wortis) Arkin, a teacher, shared his father's views. Young Arkin was fond of music and acting, he was taking various acting classes from the age of 10. He attended Franklin High School, in Los Angeles, then Los Angeles City College from 1951 - 1953, and Bennington College in Vermont from 1953 - 1954. He sang in a college folk-band, and was involved in a drama class. He dropped out of college to form the folk music group The Tarriers, in which Arkin was the lead singer and played guitar. He co-wrote the 1956 hit "The Banana Boat Song" - a Jamaican calypso folk song, which became better known as Harry Belafonte's popular version, and reached #4 on the Billboard chart. At that time Arkin was a struggling young actor who played bit parts on television and on stage, and made a living as a delivery boy, repairman, pot washer and baby sitter. From 1958 - 1968 he performed and recorded with the children's folk group, The Babysitters. He has also recorded an entire album for the Elektra label titled "Folksongs - Once Over Lightly."

In 1957 Arkin made his first big screen appearance as a lead singer with The Tarriers in Calypso paraati (1957). Then he made his Off-Broadway debut as a singer in "Heloise" (1958). Next year he joined the Compass Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. There he caught the eye of stage director Bob Sills and became the original member of the "Second City" troupe in Chicago. In 1961 Arkin made his Broadway debut in musical "From the Second City", for which he wrote lyrics and sketches, then starred as David Kolowitz in the Broadway comedy "Enter Laughing" (1963), for which he won a Tony Award. He starred in a Broadway musical "From the Second City production, then returned to Broadway as Harry Berlin in "Luv" (1964). Arkin made his directorial debut with an Off-Broadway hit called "Eh?" (1966), which introduced the young actor, named Dustin Hoffman. He won a Drama Desk Award for his direction of the Off-Broadway production of "Little Murders" (1969), and another Drama Desk Award for "The White House Murder Case" (1970). He also directed the original version of Neil Simon's hilarious smash, "The Sunshine Boys" (1972), which ran over 500 performances.

Arkin earned his first Academy Award nomination as Best Actor for his feature acting debut in a comedy The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), by director Norman Jewison, co-starring as Lt. Rozanov, a Soviet submariner who is mistaken for a spy after his boat accidentally wrecks aground in New England. Arkin demonstrated his dramatic range as the psychopathic killer Roat in suspense film Yksin pimeässä (1967), opposite Audrey Hepburn. He reinvented himself as the sensitive deaf-mute in Sydän on yksinäinen harhailija (1968), for which he received his second Academy Award Nomination as Best Actor in the Leading role. He followed with what remained his best known role as Captain Yossarian in Me sotasankarit (1970), directed by Mike Nichols and based on the eponymous anti-war novel by Joseph Heller. In it Arkin arguably gave his strongest performance, however, his career suffered because the film initially did not live up to expectations. After a few years of directorial work on television, Arkin made a comeback with an impressive portrayal of doctor Sigmund Freud in Arvoitusten juna (1976). In the early 1980s he acted in three movies that were family affairs, written by his wife, Barbara Dana, and co-starring his son, Adam Arkin.

During the 1990s he turned out several notable performances, such as a bitter former baseball player in TNT's Cooperstown - kunniakierros (1993), and as a hilarious psychiatrist opposite John Cusack in Grosse Pointe Blank - palkkamurhaaja pikkukaupungista (1997). He won raves for his portrayal of a divorced father who struggles to keep his kids enrolled in the Beverly Hills school system in Beverly Hillsin slummit (1998). Arkin gave a brilliant performance opposite Robin Williams in Jakob: Valehtelija (1999), a film about the Nazi occupation of Poland. He also returned to the New York stage co-starring with his son, Tony Arkin and Elaine May in "Power Plays", which he also co-authored. His most recent comeback as a heroin-snorting, sex-crazed, foul-mouthed grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), earned him his third Academy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, and his first Academy Award.

Alan Arkin had been a modern Renaissance man. In addition to his achievements as an actor, director, and producer, he made his mark as a singer-songwriter with his popular-song compositions "Banana Boat Song", "Cuddle Bug," "That's Me," and "Best Time of the Year." Arkin also authored several books, including science-fiction and some children's stories, such as "The Clearing", "The Lemming Condition" and "Cassie Loves Beethoven" among his other publications. He was a father of three sons, Adam Arkin, Matthew Arkin, and Anthony Arkin, and a grandfather of Molly Arkin.

Alan Arkin was a strong supporter of an organic way of living and also a proponent for preservation of the environment and natural habitat. He avoided the show-biz-milieu and was known as an actor who does not really care about prestigious awards, but values having a good job and being acknowledged by his peers. In Arkin's own words he wanted to "Stay home for three months. Living as quietly as humanly possible." Arkin was given an Indian name, Grey Wolf, by his Native American friends in New Mexico.

Alan Arkin died in California on June 29, 2023 at the age of 89. He is survived by his three sons - Adam, Matthew, and Anthony Dana Arkin, and with Dana, Alan Arkin is survived by third wife, Suzanne Newlander Arkin, whom he married in 1999.
BornMarch 26, 1934
DiedJune 29, 2023(89)
BornMarch 26, 1934
DiedJune 29, 2023(89)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000307
  • Won 1 Oscar
    • 28 wins & 73 nominations total

Remembering Alan Arkin (1934-2023)

Remembering Alan Arkin (1934-2023)

We look back at the life and career of actor and Oscar winner Alan Arkin.
See the gallery
Event photo
Photos

Photos413

Alan Arkin in Yksin pimeässä (1967)
Alan Arkin and Kate Fitzpatrick in The Return of Captain Invincible (1983)
Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin in Yksin pimeässä (1967)
Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, and Jonathan Pryce in Myyntitykit (1992)
Alan Arkin in Myyntitykit (1992)
Alan Arkin and Ed Harris in Myyntitykit (1992)
Alan Arkin and Ed Harris in Myyntitykit (1992)
Alan Arkin and Alec Baldwin in Myyntitykit (1992)
Alan Arkin and Mike Nichols in Me sotasankarit (1970)
Alan Arkin, Anthony Perkins, and Mike Nichols in Me sotasankarit (1970)
Alan Arkin in Me sotasankarit (1970)
Alan Arkin, Martin Sheen, Mike Nichols, and Art Garfunkel in Me sotasankarit (1970)

Known for:

Argo (2012)
Argo
7.7
  • Lester Siegel
  • 2012
Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, and Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine
7.8
  • Edwin Hoover
  • 2006
Myyntitykit (1992)
Myyntitykit
7.7
  • George Aaronow
  • 1992
Johnny Depp in Saksikäsi Edward (1990)
Saksikäsi Edward
7.9
  • Bill
  • 1990

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Kätyrit 2: Grun tarina (2022)
    Kätyrit 2: Grun tarina
    6.5
    • Wild Knuckles (voice)
    • 2022
  • Michael Douglas in The Kominsky Method (2018)
    The Kominsky Method
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Norman Newlander
    • 2018–2021
  • Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke in Spenser Confidential (2020)
    Spenser Confidential
    6.2
    • Henry
    • 2020
  • Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell, Deobia Oparei, Roshan Seth, Eva Green, Joseph Gatt, Sharon Rooney, Nico Parker, Miguel Muñoz Segura, and Zenaida Alcalde in Dumbo (2019)
    Dumbo
    6.3
    • J. Griffin Remington
    • 2019
  • Ray Romano and Chris O'Dowd in Get Shorty (2017)
    Get Shorty
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Eugene
    • 2017
  • Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, and Michael Caine in Tyylikäs lähtö (2017)
    Tyylikäs lähtö
    6.6
    • Albert Garner
    • 2017
  • Will Arnett in BoJack Horseman (2014)
    BoJack Horseman
    8.8
    TV Series
    • J.D. Salinger (voice)
    • 2015–2016
  • Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Diane Keaton, Marisa Tomei, Alex Borstein, June Squibb, Amanda Seyfried, Ed Helms, Olivia Wilde, Timothée Chalamet, Jake Lacy, Maxwell Simkins, and Blake Baumgartner in Love the Coopers (2015)
    Love the Coopers
    5.8
    • Bucky
    • 2015
  • Jon Hamm, Madhur Mittal, and Suraj Sharma in Million Dollar Arm (2014)
    Million Dollar Arm
    7.0
    • Ray
    • 2014
  • Kim Basinger, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Alan Arkin, Kevin Hart, and Jon Bernthal in Legendat kehässä (2013)
    Legendat kehässä
    6.4
    • Louis 'Lightning' Conlon
    • 2013
  • Cary Elwes, Ving Rhames, Vinnie Jones, Ethan Embry, and Michael Gladis in In Security (2013)
    In Security
    5.1
    • Officer Riggs
    • 2013
  • Steve Buscemi, Jim Carrey, and Steve Carell in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)
    The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
    5.9
    • Rance Holloway
    • 2013
  • Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, and Christopher Walken in Stand Up Guys (2012)
    Stand Up Guys
    6.4
    • Hirsch
    • 2012
  • Argo (2012)
    Argo
    7.7
    • Lester Siegel
    • 2012
  • Amy Adams, Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, David Rudman, Jason Segel, Matt Vogel, Steve Whitmire, Rowlf, Eric Jacobson, and The Muppets in The Muppets (2011)
    The Muppets
    7.1
    • Tour Guide
    • 2011

Director

  • Blood (Thinner Than Water)
    8.3
    Short
    • Director
    • 2004
  • Samuel Beckett Is Coming Soon (1993)
    Samuel Beckett Is Coming Soon
    7.1
    Short
    • Director
    • 1993
  • Trying Times (1987)
    Trying Times
    7.4
    TV Series
    • Director
    • 1987–1989
  • Fire Sale (1977)
    Fire Sale
    5.4
    • Director
    • 1977
  • Fay (1975)
    Fay
    6.7
    TV Series
    • Director
    • 1975
  • Twigs
    7.2
    TV Movie
    • Director
    • 1975
  • Pieniä murhia (1971)
    Pieniä murhia
    6.9
    • Director
    • 1971
  • People Soup (1969)
    People Soup
    5.2
    Short
    • Director
    • 1969
  • T.G.I.F.
    8.0
    Short
    • Director
    • 1967

Writer

  • Blood (Thinner Than Water)
    8.3
    Short
    • Writer
    • 2004
  • Necessary Parties (1988)
    Necessary Parties
    6.9
    TV Movie
    • screenplay
    • 1988
  • People Soup (1969)
    People Soup
    5.2
    Short
    • writer
    • 1969
  • T.G.I.F.
    8.0
    Short
    • Writer
    • 1967
  • The Last Mohican
    6.0
    Short
    • Writer
    • 1966
  • Alan Arkin in That's Me (1963)
    That's Me
    8.0
    Short
    • conceived and improvised by
    • 1963
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos126

Alan Arkin | Career Retrospective
Clip 1:47
Alan Arkin | Career Retrospective
Exclusive Clip
Clip 0:40
Exclusive Clip
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Clip 2:02
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Grudge Match
Clip 1:14
Grudge Match
Grudge Match
Clip 0:59
Grudge Match
Grudge Match
Clip 0:30
Grudge Match
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Clip 1:12
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Grosse Pointe Blank: 15th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:04
Grosse Pointe Blank: 15th Anniversary Edition
Grosse Pointe Blank: 15th Anniversary Edition
Clip 0:45
Grosse Pointe Blank: 15th Anniversary Edition
The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:19
The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition
The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:14
The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition
The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:29
The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 1.75 m
  • Born
    • March 26, 1934
    • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
  • Died
    • June 29, 2023
    • San Marcos, California, USA(heart ailments)
  • Spouses
      Suzanne Newlander Arkin1999 - June 29, 2023 (his death)
  • Children
      Matthew Arkin
  • Parents
      Beatrice Arkin
  • Other works
    (1950s) Was a member of the folk group The Tarriers.
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Print Biographies
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 2 Interviews
    • 6 Articles
    • 2 Pictorials
    • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    He is also a teacher, leading workshops in improvisation. Students find him warm, insightful, and very, very funny.
  • Quotes
    [on his character Harry Roat Jr. terrorizing Suzy Hendrix (Audrey Hepburn) in Yksin pimeässä (1967)] I hated it. I just thought she was terrific. I had an enormous amount of regard for her. I didn't like being cruel to her. It made me very uncomfortable.
  • Trademark
    Brooklyn accent

FAQ14

Powered by Alexa
  • When did Alan Arkin die?
  • How did Alan Arkin die?
  • How old was Alan Arkin when he died?

Related news

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Production art
Photos
Hollywood Power Couples
See the gallery
Production art
Photos
Radical On-Screen Transformations
See the gallery

Add demo reel with IMDbPro

Demo reel thumbnail
Make your IMDb page stand out by adding a demo reel
Upload your demo reel

Add demo reel with IMDbPro

Make your IMDb page stand out by adding a demo reel
Upload your demo reel
Demo reel thumbnail

How much have you seen?

Keep track of how much of Alan Arkin’s work you have seen. Go to your list.

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
  • Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • IMDb Developer
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.