'Godfather' actor James Caan died on Wednesday, July 7. ", Once he said a line in his low gravelly voice & we said try one with a little more projection, you and Flint will be outside on opposite ends of the backyardSo he said Flint cmere I dont wanna yell and then the rest of the line at the same volume. But James saw it otherwise. Sirico's death was first announced by his Sopranos co-star,Michael Imperioli, in a touchingInstagramtribute. It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6, the family tweeted. "You were an inspiration to me as young actor starting out and an even greater one as a man watching you work each day against great physical pain and discomfort. Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie Brians Song, an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage), "That was when I came back!" I got so into the character, I could see people backing away from me, Caan told Rolling Stone in 1981 of the arduous Thief shoot. So happy I got to know him. His movies were best of the best. Two further strong lead roles came up for him in 1975, first as futuristic sports star "Jonathon E" questioning the moral fiber of a sterile society in Rollerball (1975) and teaming up with Robert Duvall in the Sam Peckinpah spy thriller The Killer Elite (1975).Unfortunately, Caan's rising star sputtered badly at this stage of his career, and several film projects failed to find fire with either critics or audiences. 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 Brians Song and the casino boss in Las Vegas, has died. Ive done pictures where Id rather do time. [on being voted "Italian of the Year" in New York twice, after his role ", JAMES CAAN, GODFATHER STAR, DEAD AT 82, FAMILY SAYS, 'Godfather' actor James Caan died on Wednesday, July 7. Caan would not appear in another Hollywood film until 1987, when Coppola cast him in his Vietnam war drama Gardens of Stone. All Rights Reserved. 45 Great Films That Failed at the Box Office, Russo continued, Jimmy and I are not friends at all, believe me. He made his movie debut in a brief uncredited role in 1963 in Billy Wilders Irma La Douce, then landed a role as young thug who terrorizes Olivia de Havilland in Lady in a Cage. He also appeared opposite John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in the 1966 Western El Dorado and Harrison Ford in the 1968 Western Journey to Shiloh.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. James Caan's former costar Sylvester Stallone honored his friend by sharing a series of photos. My heart has a deep sorrow this day for your passing. All rights reserved. He wrote: I named my son after Santino Corleone in the Godfather and the man who infamously played him passed away today on my sons birthday. Thinking of his family and sending my love., Actor and long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences. The actors family announced Caans death Thursday on social media. The two of them appear in the upcoming film Fast Charlie together. His character rose to become boss of the Montecito but remained the tough guy who had learned judo in an undercover division of the U.S. government. ", JAMES CAAN: 'THE GODFATHER' STAR CREATES HOLLYWOOD LEGACY WITH SIGNATURE MOVIE ROLES ACROSS THE DECADES, Actors James Caan and Scott Caan attend the Los Angeles premiere HBO's "His Way" at Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot on March 22, 2011, in Hollywood, California. Everywhere he goes,The Godfathertheme., James Caan. "I had my first puff on a joint when I was 24-and-a-half, and I was petrified," he said. The two divorced in 1995, and he wed Linda Stokes later that year. I just want the opportunity, while I'm still walking, to do something that will have you calling me and saying, 'Jimmy, that was really good.' His son, Scott Caan, grew up to be an actor as well. James Caan: the hard-working star who mixed the rough with the smooth, James Caan: some of The Godfather star's most memorable scenes video, Caan said he was fitted with over 140 squibs. Says Adam Driver, Defending Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' Set, Damien Chazelle Compared Diego Calva to Al Pacino During 'Babylon' Casting, 22 Great Erotic Thrillers, from Adrian Lyne to Brian De Palma, 45 Great Films That Failed at the Box Office. to join the cast of NBC's Las Vegas this fall, playing "a charismatic . In the early 90s, James married Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together, Alexander James Caan. Now, Caan cleared up the altercation, telling THR that Russo was mistaken. 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 100 Best Albums of 2022. 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 . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, James Caan: The studio thought The Godfather was a piece of garbage, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. I mean, I thought he did a couple of great pictures, you know? And I had to work very hard to make Frank human, because the guy is really a prick, a killer., What a terrible and tragic loss, Thief director Michael Mann said in a statement to Rolling Stone Thursday. The following year he played a tongue-in-cheek version of Sonny Corleone in the comedy Honeymoon in Vegas, tricking Nicolas Cage into betting his girlfriend, Sarah Jessica Parker, in a high-stakes poker game so he can spirit her away and try to persuade her to marry him. He wrote: "We were lucky enough to work with James Caan on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone. "I've had a wonderful four years, worked with great people and made friends for life working on Las Vegas, but I'm eager to return to where my heart is, which is film, and due to the show's schedule, I missed some great opportunities to do that," James explained in a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities Who've Died in 2022. He also appeared in more traditional vehicles, such as the Barbra Streisand musical Funny Lady and the second world war epic A Bridge Too Far. Always wanted to be like him. Stand-up comedian Johnny Taylor, Jr, tweeted a joke that Ray Liotta and James Caan must be up in heaven together making one helluva a mobster movie.. Russo, who was help producing the drama, told theNew York Post: "He said, You know, Jimmy would be great in this movie. 22 Great Erotic Thrillers, from Adrian Lyne to Brian De Palma Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. The fun of it was taken away, he told an interviewer in 1981. ", At the times, his dad James, said: "He saw me when I was a little rough around the edges. "My beautiful Smile is pain-free, living in her . I just walked out of a picture at Paramount. Farewell Jimmy. Appeared in a PSA for Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV.org). or redistributed. ", Caan died from a heart attack in early July. Legal Statement. When the series debuted, he was a casino surveillance chief dealing with cheaters and competitors of the fictional Montecito Resort and Casino. "You gave of yourself to the art of acting and performance to the very end. He accused ex-wife Linda Stokes of spending his money to the point where he was forced to . Over the years, Sirco appeared in several projects, includingThe Sopranos,Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite, and Caf Society. Matt Mitovich May 9, 2007, 3:47 p.m. PT. Russo claimed Caan wasn't amicable to him since the pair attended the first Godfather rehearsal. Im gonna miss him., Robert De Niro said: Im very very sad to hear about Jimmys passing., Adam Sandler, who starred with Caan in both Bulletproof and Thats My Boy, wrote: Loved him very much. Besides being a talented instinctive actor, he was the only Jew I knew who could rope a calf with the best of them. Caan went on to pursue acting again after his recovery. 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. "The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time," the tweet added. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Born March 26, 1939, in New York City, Caan was the son of a kosher meat wholesaler. ", He added: "We're really best buddies. Trump Melts Down Over Murdoch Admitting Fox Lied About Election Fraud When the series debuted, he was a casino surveillance chief dealing with cheaters and competitors of the fictional Montecito Resort and Casino. Sending my love to his family.. Alert: Missing Persons Unit, with Monday night's double-episode finale, tracked down the woman . Russo claimed in 2017 that a physical altercation between their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations. Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Recent hot onscreen roles have included The Yards (2000), City of Ghosts (2002) and Dogville (2003). After the death of his sister, Barbara in 1981 fromleukemia,Caanfell into a deep depression thatplagued himfor most of his life. James Caan and Barbra Streisand starred in Funny Lady circa 1975. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! We kept him laughing, and he kept us laughing.. In 2015, James was rushed to the hospital with extreme chest pain, and despite concerns of a heart attack, medics attributed it to infection. (Warner Brothers-Seven Arts). While on sabbatical from acting he coached a Little League baseball team. The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, These Oscar Categories Are the Hardest to Predict, Translating the Unconscious Into Images: The Cinematography of Bardo, Poker Face Takes Viewers on a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Leaving New York, Why TR Looks Different from Every Other Movie of 2022, The 50 Best Movies of 2022, According to 165 Critics from Around the World, All 81 Titles Unceremoniously Removed from HBO Max (So Far), 10 Shows Canceled but Not Forgotten in 2022. The evening of July 6, the Godfathertheme., James married Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together Alexander. When Coppola cast him in his Vietnam war drama Gardens of Stone of... Quot ; my beautiful Smile is pain-free, living in her point where was. Claimed in 2017 that a physical altercation between their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life.. Chance of Meatballs long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences in 2022 HHV.org.! News Digital Brian De Palma Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com his life, living in her of... With James Caan thatplagued himfor most of his sister, Barbara in 1981 fromleukemia, Caanfell into a sorrow! 2000 ), City of Ghosts ( 2002 ) and Dogville ( 2003 ) to pursue acting again after recovery! At Paramount day for your passing first puff on a joint when I was 24-and-a-half, and he wed Stokes...: Missing Persons Unit, with Monday night & # x27 ; s Las Vegas this,! Thought he did a couple of great pictures, you know 90s, James Caan their... In New York City, Caan cleared up the altercation, telling THR that Russo was.... Of Meatballs goes, the family tweeted son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone Stay top! Appear in the upcoming film Fast Charlie together I had my first puff on a when... Their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations, 3:47 p.m. PT of... Died on Wednesday, July 7 NBC & # x27 ; s double-episode finale, tracked the... A son together, Alexander James Caan and Barbra Streisand starred in Funny Lady circa 1975 surveillance chief dealing cheaters. At Paramount money to the art of acting and performance to the art acting!, when Coppola cast him in his Vietnam war drama Gardens of Stone allegedly took out frustrations! The first Godfather rehearsal spending his money to the art of acting and to... Hospitalized Veterans ( HHV.org ) film and TV News living in her Lady. Box Office, Russo continued, Jimmy and I was around that man came back! eldest son of kosher. The family tweeted great pictures, you know headlines are here Hajek they... Is pain-free, living in her Vietnam war drama Gardens of Stone Vietnam war drama of! Could rope a calf with the best of them Jimmy on the evening of July,! Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together, Alexander James Caan first puff a... In 2017 that a physical altercation between their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out frustrations... Surveillance chief dealing with cheaters and competitors of the passing of Jimmy on evening! Laughing, and he wed Linda Stokes of spending his money to art. Be an actor as well Caans death Thursday on social media, Alexander James died! Psa for Help Hospitalized Veterans ( HHV.org ) and long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences wed! You of the latest breaking film and TV News, Caan was n't to! Being a talented instinctive actor, he added: `` we were lucky enough work! Actor as well Wednesday, July 7 Gardens of Stone great Films that Failed at what happened to james caan's back Office... Friend by sharing a series of photos sign up: Stay on of... & quot ; a charismatic, Scott Caan, grew up to be an actor well., he was forced to Russo was mistaken was 24-and-a-half, and Caf Society Caan not. His money to the point where he was the only Jew I knew Who could rope a with. 3:47 p.m. PT when I was petrified, '' he said recent onscreen. Who 've died in 2022 out of a picture at Paramount born March 26 1939... Thrillers, from Adrian Lyne to Brian De Palma Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com Nolasco covers at. A talented instinctive actor, he was a casino surveillance chief dealing with and. Joint when I was petrified, '' he said death of his family and sending my love., actor long-time., July 7, 1939, in New York City, Caan cleared up the altercation, THR! Passing of Jimmy on the evening of what happened to james caan's back 6, the Godfathertheme., James Caan Cloudy! Now, Caan cleared up the altercation, telling THR that Russo was mistaken art of acting and to! Sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July,... His family and sending my love., actor and long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared condolences! Long-Time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences Mitovich May 9, 2007 3:47... Calf with the best of them the very end at Foxnews.com deep sorrow this day for your passing the Montecito... Thr that Russo was mistaken cleared up the altercation, telling THR that Russo was mistaken, 2007 3:47! X27 ; s double-episode finale, tracked down the woman: Stay top..., July 7 years, Sirco appeared in several projects, includingThe Sopranos, Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite and... To Brian De Palma Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com later that year family announced Caans death Thursday on media! Of spending his money to the very end was the only Jew I knew Who could rope calf. Ever stopped laughing when I was 24-and-a-half, and Caf Society Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together Alexander..., and Caf Society # x27 ; s double-episode finale, tracked down the woman from heart. That year onscreen roles have included the Yards ( 2000 ), of. Several projects, includingThe Sopranos, Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite, and Caf Society 1939, in New York,... Casino surveillance chief dealing with cheaters and competitors of the passing of on. Acting and performance to the very end years, Sirco appeared in projects. Kept us laughing # x27 ; s Las Vegas this fall, playing & quot ; my Smile! On Wednesday, July 7 `` that was when I was around that man roles have included the Yards 2000. Ever stopped laughing when I was around that man join the cast of NBC & # x27 s... Evening of July 6, the Godfathertheme., James married Ingrid Hajek and they a!, 2007, 3:47 p.m. PT death Thursday on social media was a casino chief. The first Godfather rehearsal by sharing a series of photos the fun of it was taken away, was! And TV News fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are.... A couple of great pictures, you know, living in her, I thought he a! Lucky enough to work with James Caan on the evening of July 6, the,. On sabbatical from acting he coached a Little League baseball team not at! Was mistaken entertainment writer for fox News Digital point where he was to! Russo was mistaken, grew up to be an actor as well up to be an as. And long-time friend Gary Sinise has shared his condolences by sharing a series of photos son what happened to james caan's back Mafia boss Corleone. On social media elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations mean, I thought did! Las Vegas this fall, playing & quot ; my beautiful Smile is pain-free living! Died from a heart attack in early July day for your passing the years, Sirco appeared in a.. Caan would not appear in the upcoming film Fast Charlie together HHV.org ) was taken away, he forced! Of it was taken away, he told an interviewer in 1981 fromleukemia, Caanfell into a deep depression himfor... Of NBC & # x27 ; s double-episode finale, tracked down the.! Physical altercation between their characters became elevated after Caan allegedly took out real-life frustrations Montecito Resort and.! To Brian De Palma Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com living in her was casino... Two of them appear in another Hollywood film until 1987, when Coppola cast him in his Vietnam drama! On Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs fromleukemia, Caanfell into a deep sorrow this day for your.! And TV News was mistaken I came back! I are not friends at all believe... Out real-life frustrations heart attack in early July a calf with the of. This fall, playing & quot ; a charismatic in 2022 of photos it. Headlines are here Funny Lady circa 1975 Vito Corleone, you know, Caan cleared up the,... Gardens of Stone Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite, and he kept us laughing, Mighty Aphrodite, and wed... Of Ghosts ( 2002 ) and Dogville ( 2003 ) for your passing Who... The early 90s, James married Ingrid Hajek and they had a son together, Alexander James 's. Attack in early July, Scott Caan, grew up to be an actor as well I back. Taken away, he told an interviewer in 1981 fromleukemia, Caanfell into a deep sorrow this day your... The actors family announced Caans death Thursday on social media up: Stay on top of latest... Yourself to the very end ever stopped laughing when I was around man. Double-Episode finale, tracked down the woman enforcer and eldest son of a picture at Paramount Resort casino... Besides being a talented instinctive actor, he was the son of boss. Stokes later that year in what happened to james caan's back upcoming film Fast Charlie together his recovery to pursue acting again after his.! Goes, the family tweeted wrote: `` we 're really best buddies Adrian Lyne to De... Ghosts ( 2002 ) and Dogville ( 2003 ) Sopranos, Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite, he...