Francis Ford Coppola Says Longtime Friend & ‘Godfather’ Star James Caan ‘Will Never Be Forgotten’

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

His family announced the news on Twitter on Thursday afternoon in a brief message posted to his Twitter account.

The tweet 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."

At one point, James Caan had studied at Hofstra University. Although he did not graduate and left to pursue his acting career in New York City, he was once a classmate of director Francis Ford Coppola.

The two would later collaborate on four films together and were scheduled to collaborate on a fifth before his sudden passing. On Thursday, the esteemed director released a statement to mourn the loss of his longtime friend.

In a statement provided to Deadline, Coppola said, "Jimmy was someone who stretched through my life longer and closer than any motion picture figure I’ve ever known."

"From those earlier times working together on The Rain People, and throughout all the milestones of my life, his films and the many great roles he played will never be forgotten," he continued. "He will always be my old friend from Sunnyside, my collaborator, and one of the funniest people I’ve ever known.”

Coppola first directed Caan in 1969's "The Rain People." Three years later, they made history with "The Godfather." Caan later reprised his role as Sonny Corleone and was nominated for, but never won an Academy Award for the part.

Caan was also set to star in Coppola's dream project, "Megalopolis," which has already attracted a star-studded cast. It would have marked their fifth collaboration together.

Costars Al Pacino and Robert De Niro also released statements to Deadline regarding his passing.

“Jimmy was my fictional brother and my lifelong friend,” Pacino said. “It’s hard to believe that he won’t be in the world anymore because he was so alive and daring. A great actor, a brilliant director, and my dear friend. I’m gonna miss him.”

De Niro said, “I’m very very sad to hear about Jimmy’s passing.”

"Misery" director Rob Reiner tweeted, "So sorry to hear the news. I loved working with him. And the only Jew I knew who could calf rope with the best of them. Love to the family."

"Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn tweeted, "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). 🙏❤️"

Director Edgar Wright tweeted, "RIP to a genuine megawatt movie star, Mr Jimmy Caan, star of not just The Godfather, but also Thief, Misery, Freebie And The Bean, Slither, Rollerball, Bottle Rocket, Gardens Of Stone, The Way Of The Gun, Honeymoon In Vegas, Elf & many more. Enjoy this deadpan classic."

"Brian's Song" costar Billy Dee Williams tweeted a photo of James sitting on his lap. He tweeted, "Team Mates and friends till the end. RIP Jimmy 💔"

"Funny Lady" costar Barbra Steisand tweeted, "I'm so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented."

The official "The Godfather" Twitter account also paid tribute, tweeting, "In remembrance of the legendary James Caan. Rest In Peace."