Alan Arkin was born in New York in 1934 and spent almost 70 years entertaining the world as a comedian, actor, improviser, and folk singer. He joined Chicago’s burgeoning improvisation troupe Second City in 1960 and from there went on to several Broadway theater credits. He made the jump to film shortly after that, and spent the next few decades as one of our most beloved curmudgeonly character actors. A personal favorite, I was so sad to hear the news of his passing. But so grateful for his contributions to comedy, film, and television. Here are some of my favorite Arkin performances.
10. The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming (1966)
The reason this is so low is because I can’t remember it! Definitely on my rewatch list immediately. It was a movie I watched when I was maybe 7 or 8, when my comedy palette just wasn’t as sophisticated and my brain didn’t store too many useful things in the memory bank. But this accounts for Arkin’s first Oscar nomination, which put him in the company of Michael Caine, Richard Burton, Steve McQueen, and winner Paul Scofield that year. Pretty good first run.
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