Actor James Caan, known for his roles in “The Godfather” and other films over a long career, has died at 82, his family confirmed Thursday.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of Jimmy’s death on the evening of July 6,” read a statement posted on the late actor’s Twitter page. “The family appreciates the outpouring of love and sincere condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
It is with great sadness that we announce Jimmy’s passing on the evening of July 6th.
The family appreciates the outpouring of love and sincere condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time.
End of tweet
— James Caan (@James_Caan) July 7, 2022
Born in 1940 in Queens, New York, Caan worked in Hollywood for more than 60 years. He got his start in his 20s after transferring from Michigan State University to Hofstra University, when he began booking guest roles in TV dramas such as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
When he was 26, Caan appeared in the 1966 western El Dorado alongside legends John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. The role launched his career, leading to additional projects such as “Brian’s Song,” a TV movie about a terminally ill football player.
Caan eventually landed the role of his life: Sonny Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film The Godfather. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The creation of “The Godfather” 08:54
Following the success of The Godfather, Caan starred in films including The Gambler, Rollerball, Thief and Misery. He also reprized his role as Sonny in a flashback in The Godfather II.
In the 1980s, Caan said he fell into depression and drug addiction while dealing with the loss of his sister to leukemia.
“I had a bad crack with cocaine for a while,” he told CBS’ “Sunday Morning” in a 2021 interview. “I lost my sister when that happened. And she was like, I don’t know, when I lost her, I couldn’t I couldn’t cope, I didn’t know what to do.”
Actor James Caan arrives for the 50th anniversary premiere of ‘The Godfather’ at the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, California February 22, 2022. CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Caan gained a new generation of fans when he starred in the 2003 Christmas film Elf as Walter Hobbs, the biological father of Buddy the Elf, who must learn the true meaning of Christmas and family. He said he initially turned down Will Ferrell’s request to star in the film, but eventually changed his mind.
He also gained recognition for his role as a casino boss in the TV series Las Vegas.
“I’ve always struggled to never be the same person,” Caan told CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” “I mean, the fun of being an actor is being somebody else for three months, you know?”
A candid conversation by James Caan 08:22
He had no intention of slowing down and was still invested in continuing his work in Hollywood, including hopefully playing a “real hero.”
“I can’t take it lightly,” he said. “I’m happy to work. I like to work with good people. I have more fun when I work because I meet new people and mostly good people, you know? Really good – always in some, you know, some things there’s a few people you meet and there’s a lot – I laugh a lot and I also get respect, sometimes.”
Celebrities who performed alongside Caan shared tributes to the star on Thursday.
“Jimmy was my fictional brother and lifelong friend,” Al Pacino, who starred in “The Godfather,” said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. “It’s hard to believe that he will be gone because he was so alive and brave. A great actor, a brilliant director and a dear friend of mine. I loved him, I will miss him.”
Robert De Niro, who starred in The Godfather: Part II, said he was “very saddened to hear of Jimmy’s passing” in a statement.
“Teammates and friends to the end. RIP Jimmy,” tweeted Billy Dee Williams of “Brian’s Song.”
Teammates and friends to the end. RIP Jimmy 💔#jamescaan pic.twitter.com/s7lfMzMlh3
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) July 7, 2022
Andy Richter, who appeared in “Elf,” said he was “shocked” by Caan’s death.
“I was lucky after a lifetime of loving his work to get to work with him and I loved him as a person even more,” he tweeted. “Funny, warm, self-deprecating and effortlessly talented. They say never meet your heroes, but he proved that very wrong.”
Caan’s “Funny Lady” co-star Barbra Streisand tweeted that he was “so talented.”
So sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented. #JamesCaan pic.twitter.com/5CB1NKTYa9
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) July 7, 2022
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