Oscar-nominated ‘Godfather’ actor James Caan dies at 82
- He was known for playing gangster Sonny Corleone in the epic mafia film, as well as roles in psychological thriller Misery and comedy Elf
- Over his career, Caan was nominated for an Academy Award, four Golden Globes and an Emmy
American actor James Caan, who starred as gangster Sonny Corleone in epic mafia film The Godfather, has died at age 82.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6,” Caan’s family said in a tweet posted to his account on Thursday.
Caan’s publicist declined to provide any further details including cause of death.
Caan was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of the hot-tempered Corleone in 1972’s The Godfather. He reprised the role in flashback scenes in The Godfather: Part II in 1974. Other nominations included four Golden Globes and an Emmy.
Al Pacino, who played Sonny Corleone’s brother Michael in The Godfather, praised Caan as “a great actor, a brilliant director and my dear friend”.
“It’s hard to believe that he won’t be in the world any more because he was so alive and daring,” Pacino said in a statement.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Caan in The Godfather and 1969 movie The Rain People, said Caan’s films “and the many great roles he played will never be forgotten”.
