Thinking of his family and sending my love., Actor and long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences. I cant do a little of anything. He hit me right in the head with that, and then he throws me over the railing and hes biting my hands when I crawl out, he literally lifted me up with his kick none of that was supposed to happen., Related FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA THOUGHT GODFATHER WAS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL FAILURE, RECEIVES WALK OF FAME STAR, Kathy Bates And James Caan paired up for the chilling Misery flick in 1990 (Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection). 45 Great Films That Failed at the Box Office, Russo continued, Jimmy and I are not friends at all, believe me. (FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives). He followed it up with the popular Alien Nation but fully re-established himself with the Stephen King adaptation Misery, directed by Rob Reiner, in which Caan played the bedbound author subject to the attentions of obsessive nurse/fan Kathy Bates. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.. The thing with Caan is, hes got a great sense of humor, director Jon Favreau told Rolling Stone in 2020. Kathy Bates And James Caan paired up for the chilling Misery flick in 1990, Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines 7/6, death of his younger sister Barbara from leukemia, for a featured role in "The Godfather" as Sonny, Michael B. 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Instead of a passive, relatively one-sided character, he wanted to play someone able to walk around the casino and engage in small talk with its most eccentric customers. There was an incident where his team's weakest player hit a home run that won a game. Racing to find his sisters husband, Corleone stops at a toll booth that he discovers is unnervingly empty of customers. He came in, and we made up the whole fight. Thinking of his family and sending my love. James Caan, the American actor renowned for his role as Sonny Corleone in the mafia epic The Godfather, as well as a string of key films in the 1970s, has died aged 82. All Rights Reserved. he boasted. James Caan as Santino 'Sonny' Corleone in 'The Godfather, ' the movie based on the novel by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. After their divorce in 1966, James married a former girlfriend ofElvis Presley, Sheila Marie Ryan, but their relationship was short-lived and only lasted a year. I just want the opportunity, while I'm still walking, to do something that will have you calling me and saying, 'Jimmy, that was really good.' Jen Juneau is a digital news writer for PEOPLE since 2016. "When Michael [Al Pacino] tells me he is going to take care of the cop and Sollozzo [Al Lettieri], I say, 'You'll get brains all over your nice Ivy League suit,' " Caan told The Hollywood Reporter in March. Damien Chazelle Compared Diego Calva to Al Pacino During 'Babylon' Casting Caan had been a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola since the 1960s, when Coppola cast him for the lead in Rain People. He was primed for a featured role in The Godfather as Sonny, the No. Between 1982 and 1987, he went on what he would later call the Hollywood burnout. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The elder Caan experienced addiction in the 1980s, which required him to take a step back from acting. He starred in four films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day from 1995 to 2002, as well as several video games. Last modified on Wed 10 Aug 2022 07.41 EDT. Following his celebrated turn as a bedridden author tormented by a psychotic Kathy Bates in Misery, Caan returned to Hollywood in the Nineties as a prolific character actor, often playing roles that tapped into the macho bravado he utilized as Sonny decades earlier: He starred as a win-at-all-costs college football coach in The Program, a duplicitous federal agent in the Arnold Schwarzenegger action flick The Eraser, a low-level crime boss in Wes Andersons directorial debut Bottle Rocket and, in a nod to The Godfather, the patriarch of a crime family in the mob comedy Mickey Blue Eyes. Despite being confirmed, a cause of death was not released. James was not married at the time of his death. He appeared in off-beat fare like 1973s Slither and Cinderella Liberty. Market data provided by Factset. ", Caan died from a heart attack in early July. Goodfellas star Ray died in his sleep on May 26 at the age of 67. Al Jean, a producer of The Simpsons, tweeted a joke on Saturday that the three actors would now be "having a sitdown up in heaven.". You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. (CBS via Getty Images), "I had great, great times as a Little League coach," he told Esquire. He was 82. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. "My beautiful Smile is pain-free, living in her . Las Vegas had practically reignited the actor's career, and through it, James garnered an armada of new fans. Caan was nominated for an Emmy for his role, which led to his reuniting with Coppola for The Godfather. You can bull---t your way around it, but it is there, you know?" Always wanted to be like him. I just walked out of a picture at Paramount. The creators obliged, and Ed Deline's character was born. His movies were best of the best. The Offer premieres April 28 on the streamer. Always wanted to be like him. The Mandalorian Season Three Gets Off to a Disappointing Start Caan was born in 1940 in the Bronx, New York City, the son of a kosher butcher. So happy I got to know him. His movies were best of the best. Why 'The Godfather' Is Unthinkable Without James Caan, Rob Reiner, who directed Caan in Misery, said in a statement to Deadline Thursday, I was so saddened to hear about Jimmy leaving us. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 2007, he announced his departure from the show, stating that he was eager to make movies again. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A year after his Firehouse 51 job ended, Hodge actually worked opposite James Caan in the indie thriller "The Waiting." The same year he made his third, and sadly final appearance in "The Purge . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie Brians Song, an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26. Five, six years later, Im in Hollywood. Im gonna miss him., Robert De Niro said: Im very very sad to hear about Jimmys passing., Adam Sandler, who starred with Caan in both Bulletproof and Thats My Boy, wrote: Loved him very much. A masculine and enigmatic actor whose life and movie career have had more ups and downs than the average rollercoaster and whose selection of roles has arguably derailed him from achieving true superstar status, James Caan is New York-born and bred.He was born in the Bronx, to Sophie (Falkenstein) and Arthur Caan, Jewish immigrants from Germany. Despite Coppolas fears he had made a flop, the 1972 release was an enormous critical and commercial success and brought supporting actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Duvall and Pacino. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER, James Caan's son Scott went on to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. My heart felt condolences to your family. They wouldn't let me do much else. An earlier version mistakenly listed Things to Do in Denver When Youre Dead among Caans film credits. The tumultuous making of the blockbuster movie is at the center of the Paramount+ limited series The Offer, charting the behind-the-scenes drama that plagued the big-screen adaptation of Mario Puzos novel. He was 82 years old. While on sabbatical from acting he coached a Little League baseball team. 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The action-crime-thriller is listed as in post-production, and costars Morena Baccarin and Pierce Brosnan. "Godfather" star James Caan's cause of death has been revealed. Everywhere he goes,The Godfathertheme., James Caan. Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. I shall cherish the memory of you always. After appearing in the daytime program from 1978 to 1981, he moved toLos Angeles,Californiain favor of a motion picture career. Thu 7 Jul 2022 13.12 EDT. ", Once he said a line in his low gravelly voice & we said try one with a little more projection, you and Flint will be outside on opposite ends of the backyardSo he said Flint cmere I dont wanna yell and then the rest of the line at the same volume. The 45-year-old told the news outlet: "To say our relationship wasn't dysfunctional would be a lie." At the times, his dad James, said: "He saw me when I was a little rough around the . friend . A masculine and enigmatic actor whose life and movie career have had Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! When the series debuted, he was a casino surveillance chief dealing with cheaters and competitors of the fictional Montecito Resort and Casino. ", Godfather co-star Gianni Russo calls James Caan rude. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this difficult time. He was primed for a featured role in "The Godfather" as Sonny, the No. From those earlier times working together onThe Rain People, and throughout all the milestones of my life, his films and the many great roles he played will never be forgotten. But by the early 1980s he began to sour on films, though Michael Manns 1981 neo-noir heist film Thief, in which he played a professional safecracker looking for a way out, is among his most admired films. (Getty Images), Caan's early work included "Red Line 7000," "El Dorado" and "The Rain People. So happy I got to know him. He was 82. He portrayed real-life New York mobster and crime figure,Henry Hill. "I've had a wonderful four years, worked with great people and made friends for life working on Las Vegas, but I'm eager to return to where my heart is, which is film, and due to the show's schedule, I missed some great opportunities to do that," James explained in a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The fun of it was taken away, he told an interviewer in 1981. Both James Caan and Tony Sirico died this week, only two days apart from each other. His Legacy: Get to Know Late Actor James Caan's 5 Children John announced his wife's death on Facebook with a heartfelt post in February 2023. "People were talking about me quitting acting, and they would say, What about your creative juices? Coaching is creative because you could take a kid who thought he wasnt any good and, within four minutes, change his mind. Affected by the death of his sister as well as his copious drug use, Caans career imploded after he walked out of the Robert Ludlum thriller The Holcroft Covenant (he was replaced by Michael Caine). Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities Who've Died in 2022. Caan did not take a starring role in a TV series until 2003, but his first effort, "Las Vegas," was an immediate hit. James Caan, Film Icon Who Starred in The Godfather, Dead at 82, Fresh Controversy for Ja Morant as NBA Star Is Accused of Assaulting Teen, Boygenius Take Fans on a Road Trip in Video for New Single Not Strong Enough, Metallica Drop New Seven-Minute Epic If Darkness Had a Son, How to Watch 'The Mandalorian' Online: Stream Season 3 Now, Jena Malone Says She Was Sexually Assaulted by 'Hunger Games' Coworker, Chris Pine Clears Up #SpitGate Once and for All: 'Harry Did Not Spit on Me', Oscars Still #SoWhite, Despite Some Improvements in Nominee Diversity, New 'Stranger Things' Play 'The First Shadow' to Offer Some Deep Hawkins Lore, Wizkid More Love, Less Ego Tour Postponed to Fall 2023, Alex MurdaughCalled 'Family Annihilator' by Prosecution in Murder Trial. All rights reserved. James Caan, the Hollywood icon who portrayed Sonny Corleone in The Godfather and starred in films like Brian's Song, Thief, and Misery, has died at the age of 82. He didn't feature in any movies in 1994, and he went on another break between 1996 and 1998. The first episode of the crime drama aired on Sept. 22, 2003 and it was an immediate hit. The actor's family announced . The character and the man like his Sonny in The Godfather were made for each other. James Caansfriend, director Rob Reiner, offered him a role in the psychological thriller film,Misery, in 1989. But James saw it otherwise. The following contains spoilers from the Season 1 finale of Fox's Alert: Missing Persons Unit. His anger at Coppola, 83, aside, "Otherwise, he gave me a great honor," Caan said with a laugh of the film's director and co-writer. Thats what I loved about my sister: she was just so passionate about whatever she did.". Photo: Matt Carr/Getty. All Rights Reserved. ", A post shared by Pierce Brosnan (@piercebrosnanofficial), 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, James Caan death updates Fans also mourn mobster movie stars Ray Liotta and Tony Sirico as all three pass away in 2022, James Caan dead at 82: The Godfather & Elf actor passes away as family thanks fans for heartfelt condolences, GMA meteorologist Rob Marcianos wife Eryn secretly files for DIVORCE after 11 years of marriage and 2 children, Kourtney Kardashian gives FIRST look into season 2 of Hulu show after fans called for boring series to be canceled, Teen Mom Kailyn Lowry admits she still LOVES her ex despite new boyfriend Elijah Scott, 24, moving into her mansion, Kim Kardashian admits to getting new cosmetic procedure after once declaring she would NEVER do it again, Kanye West's furious ex lashes out at Kim Kardashian in Instagram rant. During Jame's lengthy life, he walked down the aisle four different times. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time He had five children, one of whom, Scott, followed him into acting, appearing in Gone in 60 Seconds, Oceans Eleven and the Hawaii Five-0 reboot. Rest In Peace. James Caan. ", "I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years. No cause of death was given and Caans family, who requested privacy, said that no further details would be released at this time. But Im thinking he was in character cause hes a thespian. Career in Hollywood film and TV news their privacy during this difficult time Ray died in his on. Days apart from each other Smile is pain-free, living in her he coached a Little League team... Family and sending my love., actor and long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences HERE to up! Apart from each other modified on Wed 10 Aug what happened to james caan's back 07.41 EDT any directors, 'em... Of the latest breaking film and TV news a step back from acting he a! 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