'The Godfather' Star James Caan Dead At 82 | HuffPost Entertainment

Famed actor James Caan has died at the age of 82, his family announced Thursday. No cause of death was immediately reported.

Caan, known for his performances in films such as Brians Song, Misery and Elf, was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Sonny Corleone in Francis Ford Coppolas 1972 classic The Godfather, widely regarded as one of the best films ever made.

Caan died on Wednesday, July 6, his family said via the actors Twitter account. Caan himself was active on Twitter in his later years, always ending his missives with End of tweet, which his family nodded to in their announcement.

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.

End of tweet

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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.

End of tweet
James Caan (@James_Caan) July 7, 2022

Born in the Bronx in 1940, Caan was raised in Sunnyside, Queens. After studying at New Yorks Neighborhood Playhouse, a famed conservatory, he began working as an actor both onstage and in television roles in the early 1960s. He eventually transitioned to film, starring in Howard Hawks 1965 racing movie Red Line 7000 and Coppolas 1969 drama The Rain People.

Caans breakthrough moment came in 1971 when he played terminally ill football player Brian Piccolo in the made-for-television film Brians Song. Both the film and Caans performance were critically acclaimed .

End of tweet pic.twitter.com/FLdNnxYf4L

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James Caan (@James_Caan) June 13, 2022

The following year, Coppola cast Caan in The Godfather, placing him in what would become his signature role as Sonny Corleone. His turn as the hot-headed eldest brother who comes to a violent, untimely end earned him many accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Caan briefly reprised the role in a flashback scene in the 1974 sequel, The Godfather Part II.