Hollywood legend and The Godfather star James Caan dies aged 82

7 July 2022, 18:21 | Updated: 7 July 2022, 20:47

The Godfather and Elf actor James Caan has died aged 82.

Caan was best known for playing hot-headed brother Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, starring alongside Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall and Talia Shire in Francis Ford Coppola's classic crime saga.

The role saw him nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor, as well as a Golden Globe, and he later returned in Godfather II.

Caan also starred in popular Christmas film Elf with Will Ferrell.

The film legend was working on projects up until his death, with his final appearance set to be in 2023 film Fast Charlie.

He was due to appear in two more films in the coming years.

A family statement on his official Twitter account 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."

Caan's Hollywood career began in the 1960s following roles in films from directors Howard Hawks and Robert Altman.

Before appearing in Coppola's iconic Godfather films he, also appeared in another of the director's films - The Rain People.

The actor's other notable credits include starring in psychological thriller Misery, action film Thief, sporting drama Brian's Song and another crime hit The Gambler.

Caan was born in in March 1940 in the Bronx, New York City, the son of Jewish immigrants from Germany.

Growing up, he initially eyed a football career, but became interested in acting during university.

The actor was married four times - to Dee Jay Mattis, Sheila Ryan, Ingrid Hajek and most recently Linda Stokes.

He is survived by his five children - Tara, Scott, Alexander James, James Arthur and Jacob Nicholas Caan.

Scott followed in his father's footsteps, appearing in Ocean's Eleven, Gone In 60 Seconds and the Hawaii Five-0 reboot.

Tributes flooded in for the star, with singer and actress Barbra Streisand tweeting: "I'm so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented. #JamesCaan".

Antonio Banderas described James Caan as "a great actor".

The Zorro star tweeted: "A great actor has left us. Deepest condolences to all of his family and loved ones. RIP @James_Caan."

Producer and director Christopher Miller said: "We were lucky enough to work with James Caan on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

"He brought a pathos and authenticity to the role of Tim Lockwood that held the film together. RIP to a legend."

Adam Sandler 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."

British filmmaker 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."

Director James Gunn said: "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)."

Meanwhile, actress Jennifer Tilly said the actor always had the "funniest stories".

She added: "Once he told me Coppola had the habit of grabbing food off his plate & eating it, so one day he made a sandwich with very hot jalapenos between two pieces of buttered bread, & waited outside Coppola's airstream."