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Alan Arkin has long been recognized as an actor of great talent and versatility on stage, screen and television.

Born in New York, Arkin studied at Los Angeles City College and first entered show business as a member of the folk group The Tarriers. Arkin attracted more attention as a founding member of Chicago's improvisational revue, Second City. This led to his first part on Broadway, the lead in Carl Reiner's play Erter Laughing in 1963, for which he became an overnight success and won a Tony Award. He later appeared o Murray Schisgal's hit Luv and began directing, including the off-Broadway production of Little Murders, as well as the 1971 screen version.

Arkin's first feature, The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor as well as an Oscar nomination. He received a second Oscar nomination, and the New York Film Critics' Award for his touching performance as a deaf-mute in "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968). A second New York Critics' Award came for his role in Hearts of the West.

His other films include Catch 22, Joshua: Then and Now, The In-Laws, Edward Scissorhands, Havana, Glengarry Glen Ross, Four Days in September, Mother Night, Slums of Beverly Hills, Gattaca, Jakob the Liar, Grosse Pointe Blank, America's Sweethearts, and Thirteen Conversations About One Thing. He has written and directed two short films, T.G.I.F. and People Soup. The first opened the New York Film Festival and the latter received an Oscar nomination for Best Short Subject.

For the past two years, Arkin starred in the acclaimed TV series 100 Centre Street, written and directed by Sidney Lumet. Other TV appearances include his Emmy-nominated performances in Escape From Sobibor and as a guest star-as the father of his real-life son Adam-on Chicago Hope. He was also seen recently on The Pentagon Papers and HBO's And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself.

Arkin directed the television adaptation of the Broadway play Twigs, with Carol Burnett, and The Visitor," with Jeff Daniels, Swoosie Kurtz and Julie Haggerty, which won multiple international awards.

When not acting or directing, Arking devotes much of his time to music or writing. He has written six books, the latest a children's book entitled Cassie Loves Beethoven. An earlier work, The Lemming Condition, has sold steadily for twenty years, and was honored by The Book Sellers of America by being put in the White House Library.

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