Oscar-nominated ‘Godfather’ actor James Caan dies at 82
By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -American actor James Caan, who starred as gangster Sonny Corleone in epic mafia movie “The Godfather,” has died at age 82, his household stated in a press release on Thursday.
The assertion, posted on Caan’s official Twitter account, stated the actor died Wednesday night. No explanation for dying or location have been offered.
“The household appreciates the outpouring of affection and heartfelt condolences and asks that you just proceed to respect their privateness throughout this tough time,” the assertion stated.
Caan was nominated for an Academy Award for greatest supporting actor for his portrayal of the hot-tempered Corleone in 1972’s “The Godfather.” He reprised the position in flashback scenes in “The Godfather: Half II” in 1974. Different nominations included 4 Golden Globes and an Emmy.
Al Pacino, who performed Sonny Corleone’s brother Michael in “The Godfather,” praised Caan as “an important actor, an excellent director and my expensive buddy.”
“It’s laborious to consider that he received’t be on the earth anymore as a result of he was so alive and daring,” Pacino stated in a press release.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Caan in “The Godfather” and 1969 film “The Rain Folks,” stated Caan’s movies “and the numerous nice roles he performed won’t ever be forgotten.”
Caan’s profession spanned six a long time and included a broad vary of different roles in motion pictures from psychological thriller “Distress” to comedy “Elf.” Final yr, he starred in romantic comedy “Queen Bees” reverse Ellen Burstyn.
James Edmund Caan was born within the Bronx borough of New York Metropolis on March 26, 1940 to German Jewish immigrants. Considered one of three siblings, Caan started appearing on tv in 1961. He gained widespread approval for his position within the 1971 TV film “Brian’s Music,” by which he performed real-life Chicago Bears soccer participant Brian Piccolo, who died of most cancers at age 26. The position earned Caan an Emmy nomination.
Billy Dee Williams, who starred with Caan in “Brian’s Music,” shared an undated photograph of the 2 collectively lately on his Twitter account.
“Crew Mates and buddies until the top. RIP Jimmy,” Williams tweeted with a damaged coronary heart emoji.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine;Further reporting by Tyler Clifford;Enhancing by Diane Craft and Marguerita Choy)
