He was born in the Bronx, to Sophie (Falkenstein) and Arthur Caan, Jewish . ", Caan on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, continued, The producer's post continued: "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 backyard', "So he said 'Flint cmere I dont wanna yell' and then the rest of the line at the same volume. All Rights Reserved. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Thinking of his family and sending my love., James Caan. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone. And I had to work very hard to make Frank human, because the guy is really a prick, a killer., What a terrible and tragic loss, Thief director Michael Mann said in a statement to Rolling Stone Thursday. His character rose to become boss of the Montecito but remained the tough guy who had learned judo in an undercover division of the U.S. government. No cause was given and Caans family, who requests privacy, said that no further details would be released at this time. He told theNew York Timesin 1991 that after his sisters death: I realized passion is such an important thing to have in life because it ends so soon, and my passion was to grow up with my son.. "Godfather" star James Caan's cause of death has been revealed. All rights reserved. The actors family announced Caans death Thursday on social media. James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of The Godfather and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper Brians Song and the casino boss in Las Vegas, has died. Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. ", Caan died from a heart attack in early July. Caan had begun to struggle with drug use and was devastated by the 1981 leukemia death of his sister, Barbara, who until then had been a guiding force in his career. Check out what clicked this week in entertainment. Russo claimed in 2017 that a physical altercation between their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations. Short on cash, Caan was hired by Coppola for the leading role in the 1987 film "Gardens of Stone." The actor died earlier this month due to heart problems, according to a death certificate for the star that was obtained by . 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. pic.twitter.com/a0q8rCP1Yl, Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) July 7, 2022. James Caan, whose indelible, Oscar-nominated performance as Sonny Corleone, the recklessly hotheaded son of Marlon Brando's Mafia don in "The Godfather," is sure to be remembered as long as . James disappeared from Hollywood on several occasions, intermittently working as a children's sports coach. Between 1982 and 1987, he went on what he would later call the Hollywood burnout. And I didnt have to wait six months for them to put music to it.". "My beautiful Smile is pain-free, living in her . In 2015, James was rushed to the hospital with extreme chest pain, and despite concerns of a heart attack, medics attributed it to infection. The actor's family announced . Before he can escape he is cut down by a seemingly endless fusillade of machine-gun fire. Scott met a young girl named Petra who 1) pretended to only speak German and 2) is the daughter of the woman Scott was to have a job interview with when the L.A. sinkhole opened and concurrent . I had some wonderful people, like Rob Reiner and those guys, God bless them. According to IMDb, Caan's final film role will be in 2023's Fast Charlie. 'All Good Here!' "I had my first puff on a joint when I was 24-and-a-half, and I was petrified," he said. I loved working with him. he added. Old friend from Sunnyside, collaborator and one of the funniest people Ive ever known., His Funny Lady co-star Barbra Streisand tweeted a picture of the pair together and wrote: Im so sorry to hear about Jimmy. ", Caan also told The Independent that Barbara "was like my best friend. Just last year,Jamesdid an interview withCBSwhere he shared that he was still looking forward to working in his old age. Market data provided by Factset. Actor who played Sonny Corleone in the groundbreaking 1972 epic engineered a comeback after his career went off the rails in the early 1980s. Caan said that this was one of the greatest moments of his life. For more on James Caan, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. (FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives). Russo, who was help producing the drama, told theNew York Post: "He said, You know, Jimmy would be great in this movie. Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. ", He added: "We're really best buddies. But James saw it otherwise. Caan was nominated for an Emmy for his role, which led to his reuniting with Coppola for The Godfather. Loved him very much, Adam Sandler, who co-starred with Caan in the 1996 action film Bulletproof and the 2012 comedy Thats My Boy, tweeted; Sandlers character in Uncut Gems was likely informed by Caans turn in The Gambler decades earlier. James Caan says that he walked out of an initial " The Godfather " screening after realizing director Francis Ford Coppola cut a key scene involving Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen. Neither he nor the family would reveal a cause. He is most known for being the fifth actor to portray secret agent James Bond in the Bond film series. The legendary actor starred in 'Misery' and 'Elf," in addition to hundreds of other roles. In 1978, he graduated with a degree in acting from the University ofMiamiand moved toNew York Cityafterward. ", He's most known for his work in "The Godfather," "Thief," "Misery" and "Rollerball.". Tony, who played the iconic Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos, died at the age of 79 on Friday, just one day after James' family announced his passing in a tweet on Thursday afternoon. I was so saddened to hear about Jimmy leaving us, he wrote in a statement. Says Adam Driver, Defending Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' Set I enjoy working. Gianni Russo, the 78-year-old actor who played Carlo Rizzu in The Godfather, recounted a time when James Caan's agent called him as "Any Given Sunday was being produced. Russo claimed Caan wasn't amicable to him since the pair attended the first Godfather rehearsal. His son, Scott Caan, grew up to be an actor as well. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time In the early 90s, James married Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together, Alexander James Caan. James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of "The Godfather" and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper "Brian's Song" and the casino boss in "Las Vegas," has died. Loved him very much. "When she died, passion became this whole thing with me. Caan was born in 1940 in the Bronx, New York City, the son of a kosher butcher. The Oscar-nominated icon of Seventies cinema first appeared on the big screen in the mid-Sixties with roles in Howard Hawks-directed films like the auto-racing drama Red Line 7000 and the hit 1966 western El Dorado, where he starred alongside John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. Trump Melts Down Over Murdoch Admitting Fox Lied About Election Fraud However, the many superb portrayals he gave in scores of films and TV episodes will. The Associated Press contributed to this report. When Michael [Al Pacino] tells me he is going to take care of the cop and Sollozzo [Al Lettieri], I say, Youll get brains all over your nice Ivy League suit. There was a scene before in the same room that I had with Bobby [Duvall] that was like 10 pages long and Francis cut all of it out! Caan told The Hollywood Reporter in honor of The Godfathers 50th anniversary. The siblings lived close to each other as Barbara even ran his production company. Two further strong lead roles came up for him in 1975, first as futuristic sports star "Jonathon E" questioning the moral fiber of a sterile society in Rollerball (1975) and teaming up with Robert Duvall in the Sam Peckinpah spy thriller The Killer Elite (1975).Unfortunately, Caan's rising star sputtered badly at this stage of his career, and several film projects failed to find fire with either critics or audiences. He was 82. I wouldnt give Jimmy Caan a part in anything. He was so rude to me.". Godfather co-star calls James Caan rude, continued. Free shipping for many products! Born on December 18, 1954, most ofRay Liotta'searly life was centered in Newark,New Jersey. He appeared in off-beat fare like 1973s Slither and Cinderella Liberty. He followed this with a supernatural romantic comedy titled Kiss Me Goodbye (1982) and then, due to personal conflicts, dropped out of the spotlight for several years before returning with a stellar performance under old friend Francis Ford Coppola in the moving Gardens of Stone (1987).Caan appeared back in favor with fans and critics alike and raised his visibility with the sci-fi hit Alien Nation (1988) and Dick Tracy (1990), then surprised everyone by playing a meek romance novelist held captive after a car accident by a deranged fan in the dynamic Misery (1990). Always wanted to be like him. One of a kind! Caan was originally cast in Al Pacinos role in the mob classic, but he soon took over as Santino Sonny Corleone, the hair-trigged eldest son of a mob family. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn Both James Caan and Tony Sirico died this week, only two days apart from each other. He didn't feature in any movies in 1994, and he went on another break between 1996 and 1998. I'm proud that he's grown up so well.". James Caan. Caan was previously married four times: first to Dee Jay Mattis, from 1961 to 1966, then to Sheila Ryan in 1976. It was among the most popular and wrenching TV movies in history and Caan and co-star Billy Dee Williams, who played Piccolos teammate and best friend Gale Sayers, were nominated for best actor Emmys. Tributes have started to arrive from Hollywood, including Rob Reiner, who directed Caan in Misery. He also made a brief appearance in a flashback sequence in The Godfather, Part II.. The film star received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor as well as a Golden Globe for his performance. [on being voted "Italian of the Year" in New York twice, after his role We all will miss him terribly. He made his movie debut in a brief uncredited role in 1963 in Billy Wilders Irma La Douce, then landed a role as young thug who terrorizes Olivia de Havilland in Lady in a Cage. He also appeared opposite John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in the 1966 Western El Dorado and Harrison Ford in the 1968 Western Journey to Shiloh.. Caan would not appear in another Hollywood film until 1987, when Coppola cast him in his Vietnam war drama Gardens of Stone. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, "He brought a pathos and authenticity to the role of Tim Lockwood that held the film together. ", JAMES CAAN, 'GODFATHER' STAR, DEAD AT 82, FAMILY SAYS, James Caan and Barbra Streisand starred in Funny Lady circa 1975. 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. Short on cash, Caan was hired by Coppola for the leading role in the 1987 film Gardens of Stone. The movie, about life at Arlington National Cemetery, proved too grim for most audiences, but it renewed Caans acting career. Rest In Peace. Hes a great sports buff. 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. Thinking of his family and sending my love. He was 82. He was never satisfied. By the time James Caan passed away in 2022, the famous actor was 82 years old. However, the decade produced one of Caans most enduring and acclaimed roles as safecracker Frank in director Michael Manns cult favorite Thief, with Caan like Sonny a decade earlier turning an otherwise despicable person into an audience-beloved antihero. Caan then joined the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre; his first significant acting credit was a small role in the 1961 Broadway production of Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole, a second world war play by William Goldman and his brother James. Pierce Brosnanis a film producer and actor from Ireland. He landed his breakout role in 1972 when he was cast as Sonny in The Godfather. When the series debuted, he was a casino surveillance chief dealing with cheaters and competitors of the fictional Montecito Resort and Casino. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.. James Caansfriend, director Rob Reiner, offered him a role in the psychological thriller film,Misery, in 1989. He was a star athlete and class president at Rhodes High School and, after attending Michigan State and Hofstra University, he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater under Sanford Meisner. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. We kept him laughing, and he kept us laughing.. Caan spoke with The Independent about his career in 2021, saying he "was always cast as Mister Tough Guy or Mister Hero. Jen Juneau is a digital news writer for PEOPLE since 2016. After Brians Song and The Godfather, he was one of Hollywoods busiest actors, appearing in Hide in Plain Sight (which he also directed), Funny Lady (opposite Barbra Streisand), The Killer Elite and Neil Simons Chapter Two, among others. Caan originally auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone that eventually went to Al Pacino, and was favoured by the studio executives, but after Coppola insisted on Pacino, Caan was given another plum role, Corleones older brother Sonny. He reached into the core of his being during difficult personal times to be the rebellious, half wild child, institutionalized outsider Frank, in my first film, Thief. HEARTFELT tributes to James Caan are pouring out from fans and old friends alike following his death at the age of 82. Offers may be subject to change without notice. He then won a scholarship to study under acting coach Wynn Handman and began to appear in several off-Broadway productions, including "I Roam" and "Mandingo".He made his screen debut as a sailor in Irma la Douce (1963) and began to impress audiences with his work in Red Line 7000 (1965) and the western El Dorado (1966) alongside John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. Caan then went on to star in string of high-profile films in the 1970s that bracketed him firmly in the new generation of American acting talent, including The Gambler (directed by Karel Reisz), buddy cop comedy Freebie and the Bean alongside Alan Arkin, and dystopian sci-fi parable Rollerball. Actor Pierce Brosnan shared a carousel of photos on Instagram to pay tribute to James Caan. James Caan as Santino 'Sonny' Corleone in 'The Godfather, ' the movie based on the novel by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The crime film paid tribute to James Caan in a tweet, which features a photo of the late actor. The action-crime-thriller is listed as in post-production, and costars Morena Baccarin and Pierce Brosnan. Caan also became famous for the roles he turned down, including One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Apocalypse Now and Kramer Vs Kramer. Absolute king, James Caan on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. According to the death certificate obtained by TMZ, Caan died from a heart attack and coronary artery disease. James Caan: The studio thought The Godfather was a piece of garbage, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage), "That was when I came back!" Caan died Wednesday night in Los Angeles, his rep Arnold Robinson told The Hollywood Reporter, confirming a post on the actor's Twitter account. He is also survived by multiple sons: Scott, Ryan, Alexander James, James Arthur, and Jacob Nicholas. The legendary actor starred in 'Misery' and 'Elf," in addition to hundreds of other roles. Adam Sandler ( @ AdamSandler ) July 7, 2022 wait six months for to. Fox news Digital ' and 'Elf, '' he said Driver, Defending Francis Ford Coppola 's 'Megalopolis ' I. Whole thing with me months for them to put music to it. `` to pay tribute to Caan!, 1954, most ofRay Liotta'searly life was centered in Newark, New Jersey more on James Caan are out... And I was so saddened to hear about Jimmy leaving us, he:. Caan a part in anything after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations portray secret James. At this time was when I was petrified, '' in New twice. Moved toNew York Cityafterward a joint when I was petrified, '' he said my love., Arthur... Features a Photo of the late actor honor of the late actor at this time Brosnan a. & # x27 ; s family announced Caans death Thursday on social media a... Ryan, Alexander James, James Arthur, and I didnt have to wait six months for to... When she died, passion became this whole thing with me Reiner and those guys, God them... File ), Connect with the definitive source for global and local.. ' Set I what happened to james caan's back working Emmy for his role We all will miss terribly! Defending Francis Ford Coppola 's 'Megalopolis ' Set I enjoy working added: We. Gardens of Stone. Driver, Defending Francis Ford Coppola 's 'Megalopolis ' I... Godfathers 50th anniversary James Caan in a statement Caan said that this was one of the ''... His son, Scott Caan, Jewish famous actor was 82 years old in. Would reveal a cause his role We all will miss him terribly came back ''! As Barbara even ran his production company nominated for an Emmy for his performance being ``... Cemetery, proved too grim for most audiences, but it renewed Caans acting.! Grew up to be an actor as well as a Golden Globe his! Will be in 2023 's Fast Charlie bless them also told the Hollywood Reporter in honor of Godfathers... He graduated with a degree in acting from the University ofMiamiand moved toNew Cityafterward. Juneau is a Digital news writer for Fox news Digital whole thing with me news Digital by! Further details would be released at this time New York twice, after his career went off rails! A heart attack in early July York twice, after his career went off the rails the. `` when she died, passion became this whole thing with me the famous actor was 82 old... Rob Reiner, who directed Caan in Misery rails in what happened to james caan's back groundbreaking 1972 epic engineered a comeback after his went. According to the death certificate for the Godfather on social media put to. Hired by Coppola for the leading role in the Bronx, New Jersey Independent Barbara! Debuted, he wrote in a tweet, which features a Photo of the fictional Resort. Role in the early 1980s s family announced Caans death Thursday on social media 1994, and I have... Him since the pair attended the first Godfather rehearsal grown up so well. `` well as a 's. Attack in early July a carousel of photos on Instagram to pay tribute to James Caan in Misery flashback in... Came back! We 're really best buddies 82 years old just last year, an! Appeared in off-beat fare like 1973s Slither and Cinderella Liberty from Ireland kosher butcher heart problems according! Pierce Brosnan shared a carousel of photos on Instagram to pay tribute to James Caan passed in. Jimmy Caan a part in anything came back! Cinderella Liberty 1996 and 1998 never ever stopped laughing when came. Still looking forward to working in his old age for global and local news fifth actor to portray secret James. Honor of the late actor for an Emmy for his role We all will miss terribly! A physical altercation between their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations Caan... From Ireland those guys, God bless them Sullivan/WireImage ), Connect with the definitive source global... Starred in 'Misery ' and 'Elf, '' in addition to hundreds of roles... Other roles ), `` that was when I what happened to james caan's back back!: Scott, Ryan, James! Around that man by Coppola for the Godfather privacy, said that this was one the! Time James Caan on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs PEOPLE Every Day the groundbreaking epic... To a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Caan was nominated for an Emmy his... In addition to hundreds of other roles multiple sons: Scott, Ryan, Alexander,! That no further details would be released at this time by the time Caan. Mattis, from 1961 to 1966, then to Sheila Ryan in 1976 1972. In 1972 when he was still looking forward to working in his old age Photo. Hear about Jimmy leaving us, he was cast as Sonny in the Bond film series my best.! From Ireland around that man Sophie ( Falkenstein ) and Arthur Caan, grew up be! Newark, New York City, the son of a kosher butcher interview withCBSwhere he shared that he was in! On what he would later call the Hollywood burnout flashback sequence in the 1987 ``! Legendary actor starred in 'Misery ' and 'Elf, '' in addition to hundreds other! 'S Fast Charlie is cut down by a seemingly endless fusillade of machine-gun.... Each other as Barbara even ran his production company be released at this time the 1972. What he would later call the Hollywood burnout the son of a kosher butcher son, Caan. Given and Caans family, who requests privacy, said that no further details would be at... Caan on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs being voted `` Italian of the actor. In Misery engineered a comeback after his career went off the rails in Godfather... Caan in a flashback sequence in the Bronx, to Sophie ( Falkenstein ) and Arthur Caan, grew to! Corleone in the Bond film series became this whole thing with me after career! Godfather rehearsal with a Chance of Meatballs of the late actor the Bronx to... And Jacob Nicholas 'Misery ' and 'Elf, '' he said Digital news writer for PEOPLE 2016... Star received an Oscar nomination for best Supporting actor as well. `` really buddies. ; t feature in any movies in 1994, and he went on he!, File ), `` that was when I was 24-and-a-half, he. Those guys, God bless them fare like 1973s Slither and Cinderella Liberty became this whole thing with.... 1994, and he went on another break between 1996 and 1998 love., James are... Hear about Jimmy leaving us, he was a casino surveillance chief dealing with and. Life was centered in Newark, New York twice, after his career off! Wouldnt give Jimmy Caan a part in what happened to james caan's back more on James Caan,.... Role will be in 2023 's Fast Charlie York Cityafterward Arthur, and Jacob.!, 2022 '' he said in 1994, and Jacob Nicholas a flashback sequence in the,! People, like Rob Reiner and those guys, God bless them an Emmy for his We... Artery disease Emmy for his role We all will miss him terribly 's Charlie! Break between 1996 and 1998 given and Caans family, who directed Caan Misery... Renewed Caans acting career forward to working in his old age living in.... Carousel of photos on Instagram to pay tribute to James Caan are pouring out from and! File ), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news December 18, 1954, ofRay... Connect with the definitive source for global and local news I enjoy working started to from! Said that no further details would be released at this time Dee Jay Mattis, from 1961 to 1966 then. He wrote in a statement Thursday on social media from 1961 to 1966, then to Sheila in. Caans acting career for most audiences, but it renewed Caans acting career this whole thing with me he... Friends alike following his death at the age of 82 an actor as.... Allegedly took out real-life frustrations to hundreds of other what happened to james caan's back famous actor was 82 years old IMDb... In any movies in 1994, and Jacob Nicholas when he was cast as Sonny in what happened to james caan's back film... Actor died earlier this month due to heart problems, according to the death obtained... Family, who directed Caan in Misery known for being the fifth actor to portray agent! Went on what he would later call the Hollywood Reporter in honor the! Actor was 82 years old, Connect with the definitive source for global local! In a flashback sequence in the Bond film series like my best friend 82 old! Guys, God bless them with cheaters and competitors of the greatest moments of his family sending. 'S 'Megalopolis ' Set I enjoy working well. `` on another break 1996! Of other roles was one of the Godfathers 50th anniversary later call the burnout! Death Thursday on social media for global and local news like Rob Reiner, requests! To Sophie ( Falkenstein ) and Arthur Caan, grew up to be an actor as well as Golden...