James Caan dies: Legendary film actor dies at 82 – National

Legendary actor James Caan, who starred in Godfather movie trilogy and other popular movies like Miserable and Gamblerpassed away on July 6, according to a tweet posted on his official account.

“We are deeply saddened as we inform you of Jimmy’s passing on the evening of July 6,” the tweet read. “The family appreciates the love and sincere condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

His manager, Matt DelPiano, confirmed to the Associated Press that he passed away on Wednesday. No cause has been given.

“Jimmy is one of the greatest. Not only is he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he’s funny, loyal, caring, and well-loved,” said DelPiano. “Our relationship has always been friendship before business. I will miss him so much and am proud to have worked with him all these years.”

Tributes for Caan began pouring in Thursday morning, with many of those who worked with him tweeting their memories and condolences.

Rob Reiner, who directed Caan in Miserable tweeted, “I love working with him. And the only Jew I know who can carry ropes with the best of them. “

“Love him so much. Always wanted to be like him,” Adam Sandler tweeted.

Iranian wrestler The Iron Sheik, a huge fan of Caan’s work, also shared a message.

A football player at Michigan State University and a real-life joker on production sets, Caan is a handsome, grinning performer with the athletic and muscular looks of an athlete. mobilize. He built a thriving career in Hollywood, despite his drug problems, outbursts, and disobedience to the law.

Caan has been a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola since the 1960s, when Coppola offered him the lead role in People Rain. He has been prepared for a prominent role in Godfather as Sonny, the number 1 executioner and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone.

Sonny Corleone, a violent and reckless man who committed many murders, took his own life in one of the most jarring movie scenes in history. On his way to another job, Corleone stopped at a toll booth, which he discovered was surprisingly empty. Before he could escape, he was knocked down by a seemingly endless barrage of machine gun bullets. Decades later, he used to say, strangers would approach him on the street and jokingly warn him to stay away from toll roads.

Caan bonded with Brando, Robert Duvall and the rest of the cast and made everyone laugh during an intense production run, where he sometimes pulled down his pants and “taunted” an actor or crew member. Despite Coppola’s concerns that he had failed, the 1972 release was a huge commercial and critical success, and earned the supporting actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Duvall, and Al Pacino.

After Brian’s song and GodfatherHe is one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, appearing in Hidden in Plain Sight (which he also directed), Funny lady (opposite Barbra Streisand), and Neil Simon Chapter two, among others. He also appears briefly in a flashback in The Godfather, Part II.

But by the early 1980s, he was starting to turn sour on the movies. He began to struggle with drug use and was devastated by the 1981 leukemia death of his sister, Barbara, who until then remained a driving force in his career.

He returns to full-fledged stardom opposite Kathy Bates in Miserable in 1990.

Once again requested, Caan starred in For the boys with Bette Midler in 1991 as part of a singing and dancing team to entertain U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The following year, he played a tongue-in-cheek version of Sonny Corleone in the comedy Honeymoon in Vegas.

Later in his career, he introduced himself to a new generation playing Walter, the workaholic, rock-faced father of Buddy’s Will Ferrell in Leprechaun.

Caan is survived by sons Scott, James, Jacob and Alexander, as well as daughter Tara.

– with files from the Associated Press