R.I.P. ALAN ARKIN...

You were gentle yet sinister, happy yet sad, making each performance personable and unique. 

The proof is in the pudding: The Return of Captain Invincible; Wait Until Dark; Edward Scissorhands; The Rocketeer; The Seven-Percent Solution; Gattaca; Escape from Sobibor; The Other Side of Hell; Simon; Argo; Popi; Full Moon High; Big Trouble; The Magician of Lublin; Magicians; Raising Flagg; Freebie and the Bean; Spencer Confidential; Inspector Clouseau; The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause; Noel; The Fourth Wise Man; Get Smart '08; Dumbo '19; Minions: The Rise of Gru; The Last Unicorn; The Muppets; Firewall; Thin Ice; The Change-Up; Marley and Me; Going in Style; The Kominsky Method; Eros; The Incredible Burt Wonderstone; Stand Up Guys; Joshua Then and Now; Catch-22; The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming; The Defection of Simas Kudirka; Jakob the Liar; The Private Lives of Pippa Lee; Woman Times Seven; Improper Channels; The Monitors; City Island; Slums of Beverly Hills; Glengarry Glen Ross; Deadhead Miles; Fire Sale; The In-Laws '79; The Pentagon Papers; North; Hearts of the West (aka Hollywood Cowboy); Bad Medicine; Grudge Match; Grosse Point Blank; Havana; Indian Summer; Rendition; Mother Night; So I Married an Axe Murderer; Little Murders; Million Dollar Arm; Coupe de Ville; Picture Windows; Jerky Boys: The Movie; Enter Laughing; Steal Big Steal Little; Little Miss Sunshine; Sunshine Cleaning; Last of the Red Hot Lovers; America's Sweethearts; Thirteen Conversations About One Thing; Chu Chu and the Philly Flash; Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins; And Starring Poncho Villa as Himself.

However, my favorite of your portrayals remains that of Mr. John Singer in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Without uttering a word, you emoted loud and clear, expressing empathy and concern in the throes of a difficult world.

You were also a skilled singer, as heard in Calypso Heat Wave; a deft director, as shown by Samuel Beckett is Coming, and a prolific writer, with such titles as Out of My Mind and An Impoverished Life under your belt. Heck, you even contributed to Galaxy Magazine. 

You were one of my all-time favorites, Mr. Arkin, a man I looked up to and favored. No matter the role, no matter the intent, you did it all with merit and ease, and for that, I (and your many fans) will always regard you with unbounded respect.   

GOODBYE, SONDRA LOCKE...

You made your mark in the moving classic, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" and continued to impress audiences with your charm and abilities for years thereafter.

Among the weird, wonderful and adventurous, there was "Willard"; "The Shadow of Chikara"; and "Death Game"; as well as your co-starring appearances in the Clint Eastwood hits, "The Outlaw Josie Whales"; "Bronco Bill"; "The Gauntlet"; "Sudden Impact"; "Every Which Way But Loose"; and "Every Which Way You Can". You even proved yourself a deft director with your radical "Ratboy"; and became a faithful presence through such television shows as "Night Gallery"; "Planet of the Apes"; "Amazing Stories"; "Tales of the Unexpected"; and "Kung Fu". 

Many of us learned of your passing far too late, Ms. Locke, which makes your departure hit all the harder, proving how much you were appreciated ... how deeply you'll be missed.