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Image Credit: Eric Lee/20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock
In 2006, everyone was talking about a hilarious little indie film called Little Miss Sunshine. At the heart of the film was Alan Arkin, who played Edwin Hoover, also known as Grandpa. His character was a foul-mouthed, heroin-snorting, and unconventional grandfather to a sweet young girl named Olive, played by Abigail Breslin. The role won him an Oscar and a BAFTA, but more so, the love of the cast that worked with him.
Alan Arkin, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear In Little Miss Sunshine (Eric Lee/20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock)
It should come as no surprise then that on June 30, following the announcement of his passing, the cast came out to say their farewells to the star in touching tributes. After Steve Carell, who played Toni Collette‘s gay brother Frank Ginsburg in the movie, heard the news, he remembered his first experience meeting the actor. He told PEOPLE, “When I first met Alan, he gave me a business card. It said ‘Alan Arkin: Actor Director, Musician. Can drive stick shift. Owns own tux.’ He was my idol, my friend, and I loved him.” Not only did Steve and Alan star in Little Miss Sunshine together, but seven years later, they appeared in 2013’s The Incredible Burt Wonderstone together as well.
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Toni also reacted to the news on Instagram, as she posted a clip from the movie in her Instagram Stories and said, “Alan Arkin is gone and I am sad. Legend. Sending so much love to his family.”
Abigail Breslin later posted her own tribute on Instagram, saying, “Alan Arkin was one of the kindest, wittiest and most lovely human beings I have had the privilege of working with. I remember when we were doing the ‘am I pretty?’ scene in Little Miss Sunshine and on the first take, he yelled out to ‘cut!’ and get my mother immediately because I was crying. I said, ‘No, Alan I’m acting!’, and he cracked up. I love that story because that’s who Alan was. He cared deeply about his work, but above all and most importantly, he was a genuinely kind and thoughtful man. Dearest, Alan… you will be profoundly missed. Thank you for everything. My sincerest condolences and love are sent to his family, including his beautiful wife Suzanne. Although we were not related in real life, you will always be ‘Grandpa’ in my heart. Rest peacefully. <3”
Alan’s sons first confirmed the news of his death to PEOPLE in a joint statement that remembered their late father’s legacy and expressed how much they will miss him after his passing. “Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man,” the statement read. “A loving husband, father, grand and great grandfather, he was adored and will be deeply missed.”
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