Alan Arkin performed with folk music groups from the late 1950s to the late '60s. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor for his screen acting debut, "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming," and he was nominated again two years later for his performance in "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter." In 2007, Arkin received his third Oscar nomination for a supporting role in the indie film "Little Miss Sunshine."

Raised in a Jewish family, Arkin attended high school in Los Angeles, California, while studying at various drama schools on scholarship. He dropped out of college to perform with the music group The Tarriers, most noted for the 1956 hit "The Banana Boat Song." From 1958 to 1968, Arkin was a member of the children's folk group The Baby Sitters.

An original member of Chicago's acclaimed Second City improv group, Arkin was in many notable films, including "Wait Until Dark" with Audrey Hepburn, "Catch-22," "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "Edward Scissorhands."

He has also written several science fiction stories and children's books. He is the father of actors Adam Arkin, Anthony Arkin, and Matthew Arkin.

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