His family announced Wednesday that James Caan, the movie tough guy who spanned generations with such classics as “The Godfather”, “Misery” or “Elf”, died.
He was 82.
“It is with great sorrow that we inform you about the passing of Jimmy at the evening of July 6,” a Twitter family statement stated.
The tweet stated that “The family appreciated the outpourings of love and heartfelt condolences, and asks you to continue to respect their privacy during these difficult times.”
Matt DelPiano, Caan’s manager said that the actor was more like a friend than a client.
Jimmy was one the best. DelPiano stated that Jimmy was not only one of the greatest actors our industry has ever seen but he was also funny, loyal and caring.
“Our relationship was always one of friendship over business. I will be missing him deeply and am proud to have had the privilege of working with him over all these years. The statement added, “My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Caan has been active on Twitter in recent years. He posted pictures of friends and himself from classic movies.
He almost always concluded his online messages with “End of Tweet”, and Thursday’s announcement was no exception.
Caan’s Twitter account served as a Hollywood history reference, since he worked with many stars of Tinseltown throughout his long career.
Marlon Brando played Sonny Corleone as the hot-headed, oldest son of Vito Corleone in “The Godfather”.
Caan was nominated to win the Oscar for best supporting actor for this role.
On June 10, he tweeted a photo of Brando and himself with the simple message “The Best.” End of tweet
Caan’s tough-guy persona on screen makes him a great choice to play comedic, but not so-macho characters.
A younger generation of movie-goers will always remember him as the curmudgeonly father of Elf, disgusted at his son Will Ferrell’s man-child ways.
Then, in “Misery”, he was Paul Sheldon (romance novelist), who tried to escape an obsessive fan.
“So sorry to hear this. Rob Reiner, actor and director of “Misery”, tweeted that he loved working with him. “And the only Jew that I knew could calfrope with the best of them. The family is loved.”
Kathy Bates was the obsessive fan in “Misery” and won an Oscar.
“I am heartbroken to learn of Jimmy’s passing. Shocked. No words. Jimmy, thank you. I love you, your “Kat,”” Bates tweeted.
Caan was an Emmy nominee for his breakthrough work in “Brian’s Song”, a 1971 TV movie.
He was the Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo who died from cancer at 26. The small-screen classic was starring Billy Dee Williams who played Gale Sayers, his best friend and teammate.
This movie is often referred to as one of the most heartbreaking and emotional TV shows. It’s also known for being the only movie where grown men can cry.
Williams shared a hilarious Instagram photo of Caan sitting on his lap and calling him a friend and teammate to the end.
Caan was a Michigan State football player before he set foot on the field.
He was unable to break the Spartans’ power-packed lineup, so he transferred to Hofstra University. There he found acting love and met Francis Ford Coppola, a student who is also interested in movies.
Caan recalls how once he was a famous actor and how he and Duffy Daugherty, the legendary Michigan State coach, shared a laugh about their gridiron-to screen careers.
“He wanted 10% [of my career] earnings.” “Why is that coach?” I asked. Caan told Fox Sports in 2013. “I told you to stop playing football,” Caan said to Fox Sports in 2013.
Even though Caan had many roles, his mob “Godfather” image was always there.
Caan was seen in the comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas” as a Las Vegas poker shark trying to win the love of a young woman. Sarah Jessica Parker played the role of Caan, who is committed-phobic boyfriend Nicolas Cage.
