James Caan
James Caan, Oscar-nominated actor for 'The Godfather', dies at 82
Washington/IBNS/UNI: Actor James Caan, known for the portrayal of the iconic role of 'Sonny Corleone' in the Oscar-winning film 'The Godfather' and other notable performances like 'Misery' and 'Elf' over a six-decade-long career, has died at 82, his family said in a statement on his verified Twitter account on Thursday.
"It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," a statement posted to the late actor's Twitter page read. "The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time."
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6.
— James Caan (@James_Caan) July 7, 2022
The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
End of tweet
Born in 1940 in Queens, New York, Caan worked in Hollywood for over 60 years, starting in the 1960s.
Cann started acting in his 20s following a transfer from Michigan State University to Hofstra University, when he began booking guest roles on TV dramas like 'The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.'
At the age of 26, Caan appeared in the 1966 western 'El Dorado,' alongside screen legends John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.
The role gave him the break, eventually landing him the role of a lifetime as Sonny Corleone in the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola film 'The Godfather.'
His performance garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
He also starred in the 1981 crime drama ''Thief'' which he said was his second favourite role after 'The Godfather'.
Cann also delivered a very important role in the 1978 war movie 'A Bridge too Far' which had an ensemble cast and later reunited with his Godfather costar Al Pacino in 'Dick Tracy' in 1990.
He also starred in the 2003 Christmas film 'Elf,'" as Walter Hobbs, Buddy the Elf's biological father who must learn the true meaning of Christmas and family.
In a 2021 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Caan said he had no intentions of slowing down.
"I can't take it easy," he said. "I enjoy working. I love to work with good people. I have more fun when I'm working because I get to know new people and mostly good people, you know? Really good – always in some, you know, some things there's a couple of people you meet, and there's a lot – I have a lot of laughs and I get respect, too, sometimes."
Caan's later films include 'The Wrong Boyfriend' (2015), 'Sicilian Vampire' (2015), 'JL Ranch' (2016) and 'Good Enough' (2016). He had the lead in 'The Good Neighbor' (2016), 'The Red Maple Leaf' (2016) and 'Undercover Grandpa' (2017).
In 2019, he starred in Carol Morley's crime drama 'Out of Blue'.
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