Legendary Godfather actor James Caan has died aged 82, his family announced on Thursday. The Hollywood veteran, who played Sonny Corleone in the mobster classic, passed away yesterday, their statement read.
They expressed their gratitude for the millions of condolences and love that were offered by his admirers, and asked to be kept private as they grieve.
His manager still said that he was “one of the best and most talented actors our company has ever seen”, but also added that their relationship was “always friendship before business”.
Tributes flooded in for the star, who also featured in Misery, Elf and Mickey Blue Eyes, with many posting quotes from his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather and debating his greatest performances.
Adam Sandler led them, and Rob Reiner (Misery director) said that he had ‘always wanted’ to be just like him. Reiner also said that he loved working with Reiner.
After spending time in a wheelchair during his recovery from back surgery, Caan was seen using a walker in California with some friends.
Photos taken from his 50th Anniversary Celebration at The Godfather’ in LA on February 22 show him looking younger and standing. He was not reported as having died.
The actor leaves behind his four ex-wives – including Sheila Ryan who dated Elvis – as well as five children, with son Scott also pursing acting and featuring in Entourage.
Just over a month ago, Ray Liotta (gangster film star) died while shooting in Dominican Republic for a new television series.
James Caan stars as Santino ‘Sonny’ Corleone in “The Godfather,” a movie that was released March 15, 1972, and is based upon the novel Mario Puzo.
On Thursday, James Caan, the legendary Godfather actor, died at age 82. His family confirmed this on Thursday. The Hollywood veteran, who played Sonny Corleone in the mobster classic, passed away yesterday (pictured with Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and John Cazale)
James Caan died on July 6. In this 2021 picture, he was last seen having dinner with his friends at West Hollywood.
Caan’s family said in a post on his Twitter on Thursday: ‘It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6.
“The family values the expressions of sympathy and love, and requests that you respect their privacy at this time.” End of tweet.
His manager DelPiano said: ‘Jimmy was one of the greatest. His acting skills were unmatched. He was funny and loyal.
“Our friendship was always about friendship, not business. He will be missed greatly and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him over all of these years.
The Bronx native is well known for his roles as Santino ‘Sonny’ Corleone, The Godfather and Mickey Blue Eyes.
He never gave up on his career and kept going. The 2019 drama Out of Blue is his latest work.
He started to take things slower from 2015 when he was rushed to hospital suffering with chest pain. The Hollywood vet wasn’t having a heart attack, he was suffering from a chest infection.
Caan is pictured with his fourth wife Linda Stokes, who in 2016 was said to be estranged and ‘blowing through savings and ruining his reputation by forcing the legendary actor to take roles instead of retire’
Caan and Ingrid Hajek, his ex-wife, are seen at the 1993 screening of “So I Married An Axe Murderer” at the Galaxy Theater in Hollywood. They were together between 1990 and 1995.
Caan and his second wife Sheila are pictured during a New York City outing in 1970.
Caan photographed at the Golden Globes Los Angeles with Dee Jay Mathis, his first wife. They were together since 1961.
Right: James Caan Jr., and James Caan at ‘The Godfather’ 50th Anniversary Celebration at Paramount Theatre in LA on February 22nd. Right: Scott in 2010, James Caan Jr.
Veteran actor, Craig, appeared in good spirits when he left Craig’s West Hollywood, California. In 2021, he matched his outerwear to a purple and bleu checked shirt.
Tributes flooded in for the legendary actor, with Rob Reiner, who directed Caan’s movie Misery, writing: ‘So sorry to hear the news. He was an amazing person to work with.
“And I only knew one Jew who could calfrope with the very best. The family is my heart. Maria Shriver said: “So sad about Jimmy Caan. He was an icon. I was treated with kindness by him. I send my love to his family.
James Gunn wrote, ‘Rest in Peace James Caan. Many of his movies I love are The Godfather and The Godfather, but there are many more that I enjoy. (Thief was an iconic Gunn movie – it was on my wall at high school.
Adam Sandler said: ‘James Caan. I loved him so much. He was the best. He was so kind and generous. That man made me laugh so much.
He said, “His movies were the best.” His presence will be deeply missed by us all. Sending my love and thoughts to his family.
Piers Morgan put: ‘RIP James Caan, 82. He was a brilliant actor. I loved his performance as Sonny Corleone, a terrifying, terrifying, and magnificent role.
‘Met him once at a party in LA and he was a very funny & highly entertaining man. It’s sad news. Jim Cramer stated that James Caan, who was a notoriously underrated man, now lives with the fishes. I loved this guy.
Gary Sinise expressed sadness at the passing of James Caan. Heartbroken for his family & his friends. Wonderful to know him & call him a pal.
‘Jimmy was so supportive of Gary Sinise Foundation & my work w/ our veterans. It will be a great loss. We are grateful to you, my friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You.
A football player at Michigan State University and a practical joker on production sets, Caan was a grinning, handsome performer with an athlete´s swagger and muscular build.
His remarkable six-decade career was possible despite his drug addiction, temper tantrums and occasional encounters with the law.
Caan was a favourite of Francis Ford Coppola from the 1960s when Coppola chose him to play the role in “Rain People.”
As Sonny (the No. Vito Corleone’s oldest son and enforcer, he is also the eldest child of his Mafia boss Vito.
Sonny Corleone was a reckless and violent man who committed many murders. He died in one of the most shocking movie scenes ever.
He said that for many decades, strangers approached his street, telling him to avoid toll roads.
Coppola was not afraid of making a mistake and the movie’s 1972 release proved to be a huge commercial and critical success that earned supporting actor Oscar nominations from Al Pacino, Duvall, and Caan.
Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie ‘Brian´s Song,’ an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26.
After ‘Brian´s Song’ and ‘The Godfather,’ he was one of Hollywood´s busiest actors, appearing in ‘Hide in Plain Sight’ (which he also directed), ‘Funny Lady’ (opposite Barbra Streisand), ‘The Killer Elite’ and Neil Simon´s ‘Chapter Two,’ among others. In ‘The Godfather Part II,’ he also appeared briefly in flashback.
In the mid 1980s, he started to lose interest and quit films. After struggling with drug addiction, he was overcome by leukemia and lost his sister Barbara. Barbara had been his guiding light in his life until that point.
In 1990, he was back to stardom with Kathy Bates on ‘Misery.
Caan, once more in demand, starred in “For the Boys” with Bette Miler in 1991. Caan was part of a song/dance group that entertained U.S. soldiers in World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He played the role of Sonny Corleone in the humor comedy, Honeymoon in Vegas in 1991.
He also directed ‘Flesh and Bone’, ‘Bottle Rocket’ and even ‘Mickey Blue Eyes’ in his later movies. He introduced himself to a new generation playing Walter, the workaholic, stone-faced father of Buddy´s Will Ferrell in ‘Elf.’
Caan spoke onstage at the Paramount Pictures Studios 50th Anniversary Celebration of “Godfather” on February 22, 2012.
The reason that a sequel to Elf won’t happen is that Will Ferrell (53), and Jon Favreau (53), don’t get along. From left: Amy Sedaris and Ferrell
Marlon Brando and James Caan are shown during this gangster classic, which won millions of fans in 1970s.
Caan was pictured holding his gun and wearing a Mickey Blue Eyes-colored dinner jacket. His cause of death was not revealed.
Anjelica and James Caan are seen in Huston Gardens Of Stone. This 1987 film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Joaquin Phoenix and the acting icon are seen together in The Yards in 1999.
The Godfather’s stars Robert Duvall and John Cazale, GianniRusso. Talia Shire. Morgana King. Marlon Brando. James Caan.
Caan has had four marriages and had a troubled relationship. Dee Jay Mathis divorced him in 1966, after which he married his second wife Tara.
He married Sheila Marie Ryan ten years later, but they split the next year, 1976. They also had their son Scott, who was 43.
Ingrid Hajek was Caan’s wife. They had their son Alexander in 1990.
He married Linda Stokes in 1995 for his fourth marriage. The couple had sons James, 24, and Jacob, 21, before divorcing in 2009, citing irreconcilable differences.
In 2016, he claimed Stokes, his estranged spouse, was spending through his savings. According to legal documents found at TMZ he is required to continue working to pay his bills.
According to the gossip website, he currently pays $13,000 per month for child support for his two sons. However, it seemed that she wanted more.
Caan’s claim that money was a major issue forced him to accept sub-par work to stay afloat financially is perhaps the most shocking.
According to the docs, “I no longer want to be part in movies and/or TV shows that detract from my 50-year history of building my reputation.”
The actor then said that he was forced to perform a drama called Sicilian Vampire. It was released in summer 2015 and it was “humiliating” because only 50 people attended the New York City premiere.
He married Dee Jay Mathis in 1961 and they had a daughter, Tara. They divorced in 1966. Caan was briefly married to Sheila Marie Ryan in 1976, but their second marriage, which was a result of being a former girlfriend and friend of Elvis Presley, ended abruptly.
Scott Caan was also an actor and their son. From September 1990 through March 1994, Caan married Ingrid Hajek; they had one son, Alexander.