After his sons Adam, Matthew, and Anthony told PEOPLE that Alan Arkin, an Oscar and Tony Award-winning actor who was 89 years old, had died, Steve Carell talked about the first time he met the late actor.

“When I first met Alan, he gave me a business card,” he told PEOPLE. “It said ‘Alan Arkin: Actor, Director, Musician. Can drive stick shift. Owns own tux.’ He was my idol, my friend, and I loved him.”

Even though Steve Carell and Alan Arkin were in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone together in 2013, Arkin fans may remember that they first worked together in the 2006 comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine, which was about a broken family taking a road trip.

Arkin played the family’s grandfather, Edwin Hoover, and his role won him his only Academy Award.

Arkin’s boys told PEOPLE that he had died. “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.”

Abigail Breslin, who also worked with Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine, said, “Alan Arkin was one of the most kindest, gentlest, and hilarious actors I ever worked with. We may not have been related in real life, but he will always be Grandpa in my heart; I send my deepest sympathies to his wife, Suzanne, and his family.”