James Caan has been remembered by stars including Misery director Rob Reiner and his Bulletproof co-star Adam Sandler after
Acting legend Caan died after an incredible career, which saw him star in iconic films including The Godfather, A Bridge Too Far and, in more recent years, Elf.
Reiner, who directed Caan in the 1990 psychological horror Misery, was one of the first to pay tribute. The film follows a famous author (Caan) who suffers a nightmare of captivity and abuse at the hands of a fan of his novels (Kathy Bates),
‘I was so saddened to hear about Jimmy leaving us,’ Reiner said. ‘I loved working with him. Besides being a talented instinctive actor, he was the only Jew I knew who could rope a calf with the best of them. Sending my love to his family.’
Actor Adam Sandler, who starred with Caan in the 1996 film Bulletproof and the 2012 film That’s My Boy, said: ‘James Caan. Loved him very much. Always wanted to be like him. So happy I got to know him. Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. His movies were best of the best. We all will miss him terribly. Thinking of his family and sending my love.’
Antonio Banderas added: ‘A great actor has left us. Deepest condolences to all of his family and loved ones. RIP @James_Caan,’ with Barbra Streisand saying: ‘I’m so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented. #JamesCaan.’
Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn also paid tribute, sharing his some of his favourite films.
‘Rest In Peace James Caan. There are so many movies of his I love, The Godfather films of course being at the very top, but here are a few more I adore (Thief in particular was a Gunn family classic – I had the poster on my wall in high school),’ he said.
Comedian and former SNL star Jon Lovitz added: ‘Well, this just sucks about James Caan.
‘I was lucky enough to work with him & be friends. Always a fun guy to be around. He was always supportive of my career. He even did a cameo in my tv special and got Robert Duvall to be in it. A highlight of my career. God bless James Caan.’
Piers Morgan went on to say: ‘RIP James Caan, 82. Brilliant actor – loved him as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, such a ferocious, menacing, magnificent performance. Met him once at a party in LA and he was a very funny & highly entertaining man. Sad news.’
Caan died on Wednesday, with the news being shared in a statement on social media.
It read: ‘It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6.
‘The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.’
Acting legend Caan had an incredible career, but is particularly well known for playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, a role which has gone down in film history. It earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor and he later reprised the role for The Godfather Part II with a cameo appearance at the end.
In the 1972 cinema classic, which celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year, Caan appeared alongside Marlon Brando (Don Vito Corleone), Al Pacino (Michael), and Diane Keaton (Kay Adams).
Caan enjoyed a decades-long career, starting out in the 1960s with theatre and then films like El Dorado in 1966, Countdown in 1967, and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Rain People in 1969.
After The Godfather, Caan didn’t slow down, with roles throughout the 1970s and 80s, in films like Brian’s Song, The Gambler, and A Bridge Too Far.
He continued to make sporadic, but beloved, appearances in the 90s and into the new millennium, in films like Misery, Bottle Rocket, The Yards and, of course, Elf.
Caan continued to act until his death, and was due to film his fifth collaboration with Coppola, titled Megalopolis, this autumn.
