Godfather and Elf star James Caan dies at 82
TRIBUTES have poured in for James Caan, star of The Godfather who has died aged 82.
The actor’s family announced his death in a statement which spoke of their ‘great sadness’ but also expressed their appreciation for ‘the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences’ from fans and admirers.
Leading the tributes last night was Al Pacino – who played Michael Corleone, brother of Caan’s hot-headed mobster Sonny in his most famous role.
Praising him as a ‘great actor’, Pacino added: ‘Jimmy was my fictional brother and my lifelong friend. He was so alive and daring... a brilliant director and my dear friend. I’m gonna miss him.’
Barbra Streisand, who starred with Caan in 1975’s Funny Lady, said: ‘I’m so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented.’ And Caan’s manager Matt DelPiano called him ‘one of the greatest’.
Caan, who had been plagued by health problems in recent years, started his acting career in the 1960s in theatre in his native New York.
He landed a number of Hollywood roles but it was as Sonny in 1972’s The Godfather that he became a household name.
He was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the performance and went on to star in successful Seventies films including Funny Lady and science fiction drama Rollerball. He struggled with depression and drug addiction in the Eighties before making a comeback in 1990 Stephen King adaptation Misery. He later played the disgruntled father of Will Ferrell’s Elf in the hit 2003 Christmas film.
The actor, who was married four times, leaves behind five children.