RIP, Alan Arkin.
One of my all time favorite actors. I got the chance to work with him standing by on Stand Up Guys 10 years ago.
The day he first came to set, I waited for him to be alone at the chairs and I walked up to him in his chair and said, “Mr. Arkin, I don’t ever do this, but I have been a fan of yours ever since I was a child. Would you please sign my script?” He replies, “Well I don’t really do this. But if you tell me your favorite Alan Arkin movie, I’ll consider it.” Without a beat I say, “Freebie and the Bean!” He looks at me and says, “You couldn’t even have been born when we did that! I’ll sign!” I assured him I was indeed alive when they made it, and handed him my sharpie and script. Just then Walken and Pacino come over(their chairs were all together). “What’s this?” quips Walken. Pacino asks “What’s going on here?” Alan says, “Oh nothing fellas, this kid( I was 42!) wanted me to sign his script.” Al says, “I’ll sign it!” And takes it from Arkin, who looks at me with a kind of, “I’m sorry” look. Chris asks me if I want him to sign it, “Of course, and thank you fellas, I will cherish it.” We all all start laughing at my stupid comment and I walk away.
Two days later and I get an envelope on my cart. In it is an autographed photo of Arkin, from Freebie and the Bean and a note that says, “It was one of my favorites too, thanks!”
A legend. May peace be upon him.