‘I hope she loses’: Why Alan Arkin didn’t want Abigail Breslin to win an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine
After news of the death of actor Alan Arkin, many fans are reminiscing on some of his most memorable moments – including his choice words for a colleague ahead of the 2007 Academy Awards.
The Oscar and Tony-winning actor died aged 89 on Friday (30 June). A revered actor across stage and screen, Arkin was well known for projects such as the films Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) and Argo (2012) and for two seasons of the TV series The Kominsky Method, alongside Michael Douglas.
Yet, to many, Arkin’s most famous role remains his performance as Edwin Hoover in the 2006 ensemble dark comedy Little Miss Sunshine.
As the foul-mouthed, heroin-using grandfather of a dysfunctional family, Edwin was an unforgettable presence in the acclaimed film and gained Arkin significant praise.
Despite only being on screen for 14 minutes, the actor won a Bafta and an Oscar for his supporting role.
While Arkin’s performance shone, Little Miss Sunshine was also a big vehicle for Abigail Breslin, who played his hyperactive granddaughter and beauty pageant hopeful, Olive.
Breslin, who was nine at the time of filming, had also been nominated for an Academy Award for her work in the film.
Despite a nomination at such a young age being a massive feat, Arkin admitted on the night of the ceremony that he didn’t want Breslin to win – precisely because of her age, and the potential negative after-effects.
“I hope she loses. What, next year she is going to get the Nobel Prize?” he quipped frankly to Access Hollywood.
“It’s enough. She has had enough attention. I love her and I love her family, and I feel enough is enough. She is a kid; she needs to have a childhood. I hope she loses.”
Ultimately, Arkin got his wish: Breslin didn’t win, and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress instead went to Jennifer Hudson for her role in Dreamgirls.
Upon accepting his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on the same night, Arkin spoke about his happiness about the warm reception Little Miss Sunshine had received from audiences.
“More than anything, I’m deeply moved by the open-hearted appreciation our small film has received, which in these fragmented times speaks so openly of the possibility of innocence, growth, and connection,” Arkin explained.
