US actor Alan Arkin, who won an Oscar and a Bafta for his role as the outrageous grandad in the film Little Miss Sunshine, has died aged 89.

During a screen and stage career that spanned seven decades, Arkin appeared in Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning Argo.

His death was confirmed by his sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony in a family statement on Friday.

"Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man," they said.

"A loving husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, he was adored and will be deeply missed."

Arkin also voiced JD Salinger in the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman from 2015 to 2016

His co-star in another recent Netflix series The Kominsky Method, Paul Reiser, reacted to the news of his death by tweeting that "a world without Alan Arkin is… not so great."

"I've loved this man from the moment he came on screen in The Russians Are Coming (Whitaker Walt!)," he wrote. "I was 8.

"Getting to know him - and getting a laugh out of him - is a highlight of my life. RIP dear friend."

"I'd answer, 'Which kind is Alan Arkin?' and that shut them up."