James Caan, veteran 'Godfather' and 'Elf'' actor, dies at 82

[BetteDavisEyes]

James Caan, veteran 'Godfather' and 'Elf' actor, dies at 82

Caan was also well known for roles in "Brian's Song," "Misery" and NBC's "Las Vegas."

www.nbcnews.com

Movie tough guy James Caan, whose work spanned generations in such big-screen classics as "The Godfather," "Misery" and "Elf," died on Wednesday, his family said.

He was 82.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," according to a family statement posted to Twitter...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

‘The Godfather’ star James Caan dead at 82

A cause of death wasn’t released for the Bronx-born actor.

www.detroitnews.com

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. He was 82.

His manager Matt DelPiano said he died on Wednesday. No cause was given and Caan’s family, who requests privacy, said that no further details would be released at this time.

“Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and beloved,” DelPiano said. “Our relationship was always friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years.”

Rob Reiner, who directed Caan in “Misery” tweeted, “I loved working with him. And the only Jew I knew who could calf rope with the best of them.”...

 

[MrsWatson]

RIP Jimmy Caan.

Brian's Song, Elf, Misery, Godfather. He was a fabulous actor & from all accounts a great guy.

I remember watching Brian's Song on TV with my mom & crying our eyes out.

 

[wendybtn]

Loved him in all the movies already mentioned. Really enjoyed him in Alien Nation, the movie and TV show. RIP

 

[fred&edna]

He had such a long acting career. Per IMDB, he had other films scheduled and one in post production. So sad to learn of his passing. (Each day I seem to be reminded of how old I'm becoming )

James Caan - IMDb

James Caan, Actor: The Godfather. 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...

www.imdb.com

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

James Caan made his bones as a tough guy. But he was game to play against type.

"The Godfather" defined the actor in public consciousness, but he found ways to flip the script in later roles, subverting — and sometimes parodying — his big-screen persona.

www.nbcnews.com

Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" is populated by some of the most cold-blooded killers in American cinema, but few characters are as vicious as Santino "Sonny" Corleone, a hot-headed mafia scion doomed by his vengeful recklessness.

The role turned James Caan into one of the signature stars of 1970s Hollywood, earning him an Academy Award nomination and defining him in public consciousness as a quintessential big-screen tough guy for the ages.

But the actor, who died Wednesday at 82, constantly found ways to subvert his image, showing up in projects that gently satirized Sonny's savage machismo and seeking out roles that softened his edge, showing audiences a surprisingly vulnerable side...

 

[MajorHoople]

James Caan - 1969

"To Sire With Love " Pt. 2