Being one of the greatest actors of all time, Alan Arkin continued to deliver even in some of his final performances, including The Kominsky Method. Starring alongside Michael Douglas, the late actor earned two Emmy nominations for his performance in the comedy series.
However, fans of the show were surprised when he decided to step away before the third and final season, causing the showrunner Chuck Lorre to make a bold creative pivot to keep the show on track. Arkin later opened up about the real reason behind his exit from the show, revealing his struggles and the state of mind at the time that led to his decision to take a break from acting.
Alan Arkin on his decision to leave The Kominsky Method Season 3
Filled with a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, Chuck Lorre’s The Kominsky Method explores the themes of aging, friendship, and loss. The leading duo of Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin was one of the major highlights of the show, something fans missed in the final season.
Arkin later opened up about his exit from the show, sharing his connection to his craft and his struggles to stepping away from it. “Yeah, I still have threads that connect me,” he told The Guardian before further hinting at his retirement plans.
He explained,
I’m like a horse going down the trail. Acting is so ingrained in my physiognomy and the channels of my brain that I find myself missing aspects of the business. But I don’t need it anymore. I should probably get over it.
Arkin further reflected on the difficulty of enjoying the things that once brought him a great sense of joy and purpose in his life, saying, “I could not conceive of going through a day without reading great literature or listening to great music.”
He continued,
Now it’s mostly an assault. Living in silence. Looking at the garden. Having a relationship with trees and flowers and the sky. That’s what’s profound to me now.
His exit prompted the showrunner to take a shift, which considering the themes of the series, fit seamlessly into the narrative. The final season of the show reveals Sandy reminiscing about his friendship with Norman after he passes away.
Chuck Lorre on continuing The Kominsky Method without Alan Arkin
Alan Arkin’s departure from The Kominsky Method was swift, with reports suggesting that the actor had no intention of continuing with the comedy series beyond two seasons.
However, given the impact his character, Norman Newlander, had on the audience, it was not an easy task for the showrunner to continue the series without one of its most prominent characters.
Chuck Lorre later opened up about how convincing Netflix for a third and final season was a challenge on its own following Arkin’s exit.
“I did want closure,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, explaining,
We knew this was the end of the series, and it was a difficult sell to Netflix to give us this opportunity to bring the show to some kind of closure because we weren’t going to be doing this with Alan Arkin, who had an enormous impact on the first two years.
Lorre admitted that there were moments when he considered leaving the series as it was. “But I didn’t… and I’m really glad I didn’t,” he said, reflecting on working on the final season of The Kominsky Method.
While Arkin later returned in movies like Spenser Confidential and Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Kominsky Method marked his last TV performance before his passing in 2023.
The Kominsky Method is available to watch on Netflix.
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