The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
‘Wildly gifted’ star
Top film-makers including Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Mann and Rob Reiner have paid tribute to the “wildly gifted” James Caan and his “venturesome spirit”.
The Oscar-nominated actor, known for his roles in The Godfather, Thief and Misery, died on Wednesday aged 82.
A statement on Twitter said: “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.”
Caan played Sonny Corleone in Coppola’s 1972 gangster epic alongside acting royalty Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton.
Coppola, who had worked with Caan on The Rain People before The
Godfather, said in a statement: “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.”
Pacino, who starred as Michael Corleone in the classic films, said that Caan was his “fictional brother and lifelong friend”.
He said: “It’s hard to believe that he won’t be in the world any more because he was so alive and daring. A great actor, a brilliant director and my dear friend.”
Meanwhile, De Niro said he was “very very sad to hear about Jimmy’s passing”.
Talia Shire, who played Connie Corleone in the crime saga films, said: “James was a good man, a kind man, a family man, and a wildly gifted man – whose great talent will always be loved and remembered.”
Mann, who directed 1981 neo-noir heist thriller Thief, said: “Jimmy was not just a great actor with total commitment and a venturesome spirit, but he had a vitality in the core of his being that drove everything, from his art and friendship to athletics and very good times.”
Reiner, who directed 1990 psychological thriller Misery, said he was “so sorry” to hear the news.
“I loved working with Caan,” he wrote.
The veteran actor’s other notable credits include playing terminal cancerstricken Chicago Bears
footballer Brian Piccolo in Brian’s Song, which saw him earn an Emmy nomination for outstanding single performance by an actor in a leading role in 1972. Caan also starred in 2003 family comedy Elf, playing Will Ferrell’s onscreen biological father Walter Hobbs, as well as psychological thriller Misery, action film Thief, and crime hit The Gambler.
Other appearances include Honeymoon In Vegas, Bulletproof and Mickey Blue Eyes.
British film-maker 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.”
Guardians of the Galaxy 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).”
Caan’s Brian’s Song costar and Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams led tributes to the actor on Thursday, sharing a picture on Twitter of Caan smiling while perched on his lap.
He wrote: “Team Mates and friends till the end. RIP Jimmy,” with a brokenheart emoji.
Actor Gary Sinise, who starred as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump, tweeted: “Wonderful to know him & call him a pal.”
Singer Barbra Streisand, who co-starred in 1975 film Funny Lady with Caan, tweeted that he was “so talented”, Grosse Pointe Blank star John Cusack simply wrote “wonderful actor”, while Antonio Banderas said: “A great actor has left us.”
Sharon Stone, who starred with Caan in 1981 drama Les Uns Et Les Autres, shared a photo of the pair on Instagram, writing: “My second acting job was #JamesCaan. He was so much fun. From that moment on he always had my back. Jimmy, I treasure every second.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, best-known for his role in action film The Terminator, said that Caan was an “icon” and a “legend”.
He tweeted: “He inspired everyone who has ever been in front of a camera. I was lucky to work with him and see his talent and his fantastic sense of humor first-hand.”
Caan was born in March 1940 in the Bronx in New York and initially fancied a career in American football before becoming interested in acting during his time at university.
His break-out role came in The Godfather, which also saw him nominated for best supporting actor at the Golden Globes.
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.
Mike Bedigan and Ellie Iorizzo