James Caan Dead at 82; Adam Sandler, Al Pacino, Hollywood Mourn Death of 'The Godfather' Star

James Caan, a veteran actor, best known for his roles in movies including 'The Godfather,' 'Misery,' and 'Elf,' has passed away at 82, according to a statement sent by his family on his verified Twitter account.

"The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt sympathies and requests that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time, the statement continued. It is with great regret that we notify you of Jimmy's demise on the evening of July 6." On Twitter, Caan's family posted a statement confirming his death. A specific cause was not stated.

Caan originally rose to stardom as Chicago Bears halfback Brian Piccolo in the widely viewed TV movie 'Brian's Song' from 1971. The sad movie, which followed Piccolo's real-life struggle with terminal cancer, won praise for the way it handled their interracial bond with Black colleague Gale Sayers.

Caan's career took off after the release of 'The Godfather' in 1972. Caan was cast as the impetuous Sonny Corleone, the oldest of mobster Vito Corleone's three sons, who is infamously shot dead by rival gangsters in an ambush at a tollbooth, although he is not Italian.

Caan claimed that he based Sonny's demeanor on the late comedian Don Rickles in a 2021 interview for CBS Sunday Morning. He received an Oscar nomination for the part. The Godfather, Part II's flashback scene included Caan as well. In movies like 'Thief' and 'Rollerball,' the actor with curly hair was known for portraying tough-guy roles.

However, he was a versatile performer who also exhibited sensitivity in 'Misery,' a 1990 Stephen King adaption about a mild-mannered romance author kept prisoner by an obnoxious admirer. Per CNN, he is probably best known to younger audiences for his part in the Christmas comedy 'Elf' from 2003.

He played the Scrooge-like father of Will Ferrell, a workaholic publisher of children's books who is upset to learn he has an unusually upbeat grown son who dresses up as an elf and drizzles maple syrup on his spaghetti.

Celebrities Pay Tribute to James Caan

According to The Independent, among the celebrities that paid respect to James Caan are Adam Sandler and Rob Reiner. On Twitter, Adam Sandler, who worked with Caan on the buddy police drama Bulletproof in 1996, paid tribute to Caan.

James Caan was said to be an idol and a legend who inspired everyone to be with him on camera by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who co-starred with Caan in 1996's Eraser. Caan served as Schwarzenegger's true friend and gym training companion.

On the same platform, filmmaker Michael Mann, who collaborated with Caan on the 1981 movie Thief, issued a statement that read:

In 2003's Jericho Mansions, Caan co-starred alongside Jennifer Tilly, who related a personal story about the actor. She remarked, "James Caan always had the funniest stories.

"Shocked," tweeted comedian Andy Richter, who worked with Caan on the film Elf. The Godfather's Johnny Fontane, alongside Caan, was portrayed by Alison Martino, the actor's daughter. The following famous people also paid respect to James Caan:

Who is James Caan?

Before appearing in the Hollywood films El Dorado in 1966, Countdown in 1967, and The Rain People in 1969, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, James Caan began his career in the 1960s in theater roles.

With the addition of Brian's Song, The Gambler, and A Bridge Too Far to his acting portfolio in the 1970s, James Caan's fame was further elevated by The Godfather, and he was never short of film opportunities.

A lull occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, but James Caan returned to the spotlight in 2003 when he appeared in the comedy Elf with Will Ferrell. As a result, he attracted a new generation of followers and kept producing art until his passing.

James Caan shared a stage with Coppola for the 50th anniversary of the premiere of The Godfather in February, marking one of his final public appearances. James had four marriages in his private life, the first of which lasted from 1961 to 1966 with Dee Jay Mathis.

James Caan and Sheila Marie Ryan shared a daughter, Tara, before their short marriage in 1976-1977. The couple had a son together, Scott, before the actor wed Ingrid Hajek a third time from 1990 to 1994.

Alexander, James Caan's second son, was born during this marriage, and in 1995, he married Linda Stokes for the fourth and last time. Before the couple filed for divorce in 2017, James Caan and Linda had two additional kids, James and Jacob, per Mirror.

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Adam Sandler, Al Pacino, Hollywood