'Godfather' Actor James Caan Dead At 82

On Wednesday, July 6, actor JamesCaan passed away at the age of 82.

His family announced the news on Twitter on Thursday. Caan had been nominated for several awards, including four Golden Globes, an Emmy, and an Academy Award. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978 for his role in his many contributions to film and television.

On July 7, a message appeared on Caan's Twitter account, reading, "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."

No more information regarding his cause of death has been revealed at this time. The Blast reached out for comment and received this response:

 “Actor James Caan, 82, has passed away it was announced today by the beloved actor’s family. Mr. Caan’s family appreciates the outpouring of condolences from his friends and fans from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”

According to his Twitter bio, Caan was most proud of his roles in The Godfather, Misery, Thief, Brian's Song, Rollerball, Hide in Plain Sight, The Gambler, El Dorado, Funny Lady, and Elf.

Caan had been born in the Bronx on March 26, 1940. One of three siblings, he grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, as his father worked as a meat butcher. Although he attended school in New York City, he later attended Michigan State University where he played football and was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity for two years. Caan then transferred to Hofstra University on Long Island with famous classmates Francis Ford Coppola and Lainie Kazan; however, Caan did not graduate.

Instead, he became interested in acting and left Hofstra for New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater, where he studied for five years. Although he did not graduate with Coppola, the two worked together for four films. Caan was also tapped to star in Coppola's dream project, Megalopolis, which would have marked their fifth collaboration together.

His last film credit was as Dan Simpson in 2021’s “Queen Bees.” His last television appearances were in the TV film “JL Ranch” in 2016. He later reprised his role in 2020’s “JL Ranch: The Wedding Gift.”

Many users took to social media to share their condolences for the late actor and remember his best film roles.

One movie fan account posted four screenshots of some of his best-known films, along with the message, "Rest in Power to an Absolute Giant of Cinema."

Host Sean Fennessey tweeted, "RIP James Caan, who channeled tough-guy vulnerability like no other actor in his generation. I *loved* watching him explode and fall apart in movies."

"This one stings," tweeted another movie fan account. "Farewell to the blistering, broad-shouldered powerhouse talent that was James Caan."

Another fan tweeted, "JAMES CAAN was a brilliant actor, starring in many iconic films. Here he is as Sonny Corleone, taking out the trash in a famous scene from The Godfather."

Filmmaker Bilge Ebiri tweeted a quote, reading, "You're marking time is what you are. You're backing off. You're hiding out. You're waiting for a bus that you hope never comes because you don't wanna get on it anyway because you don't wanna go anywhere." He added, "Rest in peace, James Caan."