or redistributed. That was a big-time winner for me, Caan said. 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. We had many laughs together over those five days in New Orleans. ', "I said, Do you think I would hireJames Caan? Always wanted to be like him. 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. The film was an enormous success, Caan scored a Best Supporting Actor nomination and, in the years since, the role has proven to be the one most fondly remembered by his legion of fans. Scoot Caan, also an actor like his dad, opened up to PEOPLE back in 2010 about their relationship. "Godfather" star James Caan's cause of death has been revealed. So happy I got to know him. But James saw it otherwise. In 2018 he appeared in Carol Morleys Martin Amis adaptation Out of Blue, as the father of murder victim Jennifer Rockwell. For more on James Caan, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. The talented star was diagnosed with clinical depression in 1981 after his sister died of Leukemia. Legal Statement. For much of the 1980s he made no films, telling people he preferred to coach his son Scotts Little League games. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Matt Mitovich May 9, 2007, 3:47 p.m. PT. From those beginning times working on The Rain People, throughout all the milestones of my life. ", At the times, his dad James, said: "He saw me when I was a little rough around the edges. We all will miss him terribly. In 2003, Caan would endear himself to a younger generation and get to showcase his comedic chops by playing the biological father of Will Ferrells character in the now-Christmas classic Elf. Once again in demand, Caan starred in For the Boys with Bette Midler in 1991 as part of a song-and-dance team entertaining U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. But Im thinking he was in character cause hes a thespian. Caan received Golden Globe Award nominations for his performances in the drama The Gambler (1974), and the musical Funny Lady (1975). 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). The actor recently opened up about the lasting legacy of The Godfather in which he played Vito Corleone's (Marlon Brando) oldest son, Sonny for the beloved crime epic's 50th anniversary. In addition, he finds himself at the helm of the hit TV series Las Vegas (2003) as casino security chief "Big Ed" Deline. A fan posted a tribute to both iconic actors, writing: "2 legends gone in the space of a week. Tom is a father of twins with his ex-girlfriend Janelle McIntire. Caan went on to pursue acting again after his recovery. The instance was one of dozens of roles that Caan reportedly turned down as he eschewed blockbusters for more challenging work. Over a 60-year career, Caan has definitely earned it, playing one memorable role after another, and managing not to be typecast - Sonny, Don Corleone's hothead son in "The Godfather"; a dying. RIP to a legend", We were lucky enough to work with James Caan on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Hollywood great James Caan, who had recently undergone back surgery, appeared frail as his son Jacob pushed him around in a wheelchair back in 2020. Market data provided by Factset. It might be variable, the corners could be rounded with urban irony, but there was a line and it was non-fungible. The actors family announced Caans death Thursday on social media. While living inNew York,Liottalanded one of his first acting gigs on the soap opera,Another World. "He was never nice to me from day one. My heart has a deep sorrow this day for your passing. For much of the 1980s he made no films, telling people he preferred to coach his sons Little League games. These included such failures as the hokey Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976), the quasi-western Comes a Horseman (1978) and the saccharine Chapter Two (1979). All rights reserved. He was 82 years old. Sonny Corleone, a violent and reckless man who conducted many killings, met his own end in one of the most jarring movie scenes in history. The character is a real ballbreaker, Caan told Rolling Stone in 1981. (Michael Kovac), The tweet was completed withCaan's famous Twitter phrase, "End of tweet.". Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities Who've Died in 2022. Farewell Jimmy. more ups and downs than the average rollercoaster and whose selection Published on July 7, 2022 01:27 PM. 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. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. ", JAMES CAAN, 'GODFATHER' STAR, DEAD AT 82, FAMILY SAYS, James Caan and Barbra Streisand starred in Funny Lady circa 1975. By the time James Caan passed away in 2022, the famous actor was 82 years old. A tweet from the actor's official account Thursday read, "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6.". The actor has been seen in a wheelchair in more recent years as his health has declined since the incident. The late Associated Press writer Bob Thomas contributed biographical information to this report. 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). Five, six years later, Im in Hollywood. "But there were days when I was not on my best behavior. This article was amended on 8 July 2022. "When she died, passion became this whole thing with me. It renewed Caan's career, and he became busy as ever. "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," the family wrote in a tweet. Scoot Caan, also an actor like his dad, opened up to PEOPLE back in 2010 about their relationship. His movies were best of the best. A great actor, a brilliant director and my dear friend. (Getty Images), Caan's early work included "Red Line 7000," "El Dorado" and "The Rain People. Racing to find his sisters husband, Corleone stops at a toll booth that he discovers is unnervingly empty of customers. friend . status, James Caan is New York-born and bred. of roles has arguably derailed him from achieving true superstar However, while studying at Hofstra University, he became intrigued by acting and was interviewed and accepted at Sanford Meisner's Neighborhood Playhouse. Goodfellas star Ray died in his sleep on May 26 at the age of 67. james gandolfini interview; lds church headquarters phone directory; clientline merchant login. 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. He was in the Dominican Republic shooting for an upcoming film titled Dangerous Waters. ", He added: "We're really best buddies. The Mandalorian Season Three Gets Off to a Disappointing Start The elder Caan experienced addiction in the 1980s, which required him to take a step back from acting. Very sad to hear the news that James Caan has died, he tweeted. My heart felt condolences to your family. One of his most noteworthy big-screen gigs was in Martin Scorsese's crime movie Goodfellas. The first episode of the crime drama aired on Sept. 22, 2003 and it was an immediate hit. His son, Scott Caan, grew up to be an actor as well. Mann said Jimmy was not just a great actor with total commitment and a venturesome spirit, but he had a vitality in the core of his being that drove everything from his art and friendship to athletics and very good times.. Caan was previously married four times: first to Dee Jay Mattis, from 1961 to 1966, then to Sheila Ryan in 1976. After finding fame as a tough guy in Hollywood, James Caan decided it was time for a break. The two divorced in 1995, and he wed Linda Stokes later that year. Sly captioned the tribute: "I will miss my good friend and great actor, James Caan! Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan posted on Instagram that Caan was an "inspiration", after having watched him act at close quarters in their upcoming film Fast Charlie, despite being in . However, the many superb portrayals he gave in scores of films and TV episodes will. I wouldnt give Jimmy Caan a part in anything. He was so rude to me.". Over the years, Sirco appeared in several projects, includingThe Sopranos,Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite, and Caf Society. James Caan's last divorce was a messy one, and according to his court documents, it was leaving him broke. Scott Caan also grew up to be an actor. 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. Caan worked steadily thereafter, often trading on his abrasive manner and hard-living reputation. Pierce Brosnanis a film producer and actor from Ireland. I did the fight scene with stuntman Paul Baxley. May you Rest In Peace forever in the light. I cant do a little of anything. ", Caan also told The Independent that Barbara "was like my best friend. Initial theatrical release was on March 15, 1972, by Paramount Pictures. In the early 90s, James married Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together, Alexander James Caan. Check out what clicked this week in entertainment. Entertainment, Caan said that he lived with cocaine addiction after turning to the drug when his sister died from leukemia. Caan and co-star Billy Dee Williams, who played Piccolos teammate and best friend Gale Sayers, were nominated for best actor Emmys. Legal Statement. "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. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage), "That was when I came back!" 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. Before he can escape he is cut down by a seemingly endless fusillade of machine-gun fire. Keen not to follow his father into the meat trade, Caan initially aimed for a career as a football player, but got interested in acting after studying at Hofstra University in New York state where he met future collaborator Francis Ford Coppola. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Article continues below advertisement Source: Getty Free shipping for many products! While on sabbatical from acting he coached a Little League baseball team. 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. Always wanted to be like him. 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