Little Miss Sunshine actress Abigail Breslin is saying goodbye to a ray of light in her life.
Breslin, 27, is mourning the loss of her on-screen grandfather, Alan Arkin, who died at the age of 89 on Thursday. The actress starred alongside Arkin in the 2006 comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine.
In a statement Breskin remembered Arkin following his death. “Alan Arkin was one of the most kindest, gentlest and hilarious actors I ever worked with,” Breslin said. “We may not have been related in real life but he will always be Grandpa in my heart, I send my deepest sympathies this his wife Suzanne and his family.”
The Kominsky Method actor’s death was confirmed by his sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony, who offered a joint statement on the family’s behalf. “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,” they said.
Arkin had only 14 minutes of screen time in the hit film with Breslin, but both received Oscar nominations for their roles. The screenwriter and director won his first and only Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film, proving that he didn’t need long to leave an impression with his acting skills.
Most recently, Arkin costarred in The Kominsky Method for Netflix alongside Michael Douglas, earning Emmy nominations in 2019 and 2020, and Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations in 2020 and 2021. In Little Miss Sunshine, Arkin played Edwin Hoover, the grandfather of the dysfunctional family.
Arkin’s memorable turn in the 2012 Ben Affleck-directed political drama Argo earned him his fourth Oscar nomination.
