BREAKING NEWS: Godfather actor James Caan dies at 82

2022-07-07

BREAKING NEWS: Veteran Hollywood actor James Caan – best known for his role as ‘Sonny’ Corleone’ in The Godfather dies at 82

The Hollywood veteran, who played Sonny Corleone in classic hit The Godfather, passed away on Wednesday
A post by his family said they ‘appreciate the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences’ from supporters
Tributes flooded in for the star from his adoring fans, with many posting quotes from his role in The Godfather
His death comes just over a month after fellow gangster film star Ray Liotta passed away in his sleep aged 67

Legendary Godfather actor James Caan has died aged 82, his family revealed on Thursday. The Hollywood veteran, who played Sonny Corleone in the mobster classic, passed away on Wednesday, their statement read.

The post noted they ‘appreciate the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences’ from his millions of admirers and requested privacy while they mourn.

Tributes flooded in for the star, who featured in Misery, Elf and Mickey Blue Eyes, with many posting quotes from his role in The Godfather and debating his greatest performances.

Caan was spotted using a walker at a restaurant with friends in California in April after spending some of last year in a wheelchair as he recovered from back surgery.

His death comes just over a month after fellow gangster film star Ray Liotta passed away in his sleep aged 67 while shooting a new TV series in the Dominican Republic.

Legendary Godfather actor James Caan has died aged 82, his family revealed on Thursday. The Hollywood veteran, who played Sonny Corleone in the mobster classic, passed away yesterday (pictured with Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and John Cazale)

James Caan Jr and James Caan attend ‘The Godfather’ 50th Anniversary Celebration at Paramount Theatre on February 22 in LA

James Caan died on July 6. He was last seen grabbing dinner with friends in West Hollywood in this picture from April

Caan’s family said in a post on his Twitter on Thursday: ‘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.’

The Bronx native is best known for his role as Santino ‘Sonny’ Corleone in The Godfather as well as starring in Misery, Elf and Mickey Blue Eyes.

In February last year, at insiders revealed to MailOnline that James had undergone a back operation, and had to spend time in a wheelchair after surgery.

Last year, James revealed that an Elf sequel ‘will never happen’ because of tension between star Will Ferrell and director Jon Favreau.

The star, who played the father of Ferrell’s character Buddy Hobbs in the 2003 festive classic, explained that he and the cast were both excited and prepared to make a sequel, but it never came to be due to friction between Favreau and Ferrell, 53.

‘We were gonna do it and I thought, ‘Oh my god, I finally got a franchise movie, I could make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do,” he told Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan’s Bull & Fox.

He continued, ‘The director and Will didn’t get along very well. So, Will wanted to do it, he didn’t want the director, and he had it in his contract, it was one of those things.’

Reportedly the contracts were structured in a way that mandated both the director and actor to be on board for the project in order for a sequel to be made.

Caan has a checkered relationship history, and has been married four times. His first marriage to Dee Jay Mathis ended in 1966 after five years, and they share daughter Tara, 55.

Ten years later he tied the knot with Sheila Marie Ryan, but they divorced the following year in 1976, the same year they welcomed son Scott, 43.

In 1990, James married Ingrid Hajek, they welcomed son Alexander, 28, the following year and divorced in 1994.

James’ fourth marriage occurred in 1995, when he tied the knot to Linda Stokes. The couple had sons James, 24, and Jacob, 21, before divorcing in 2009, citing irreconcilable differences.

His most famous role was Sonny Corleone in the Godfather franchise, which earned him nominations for an Oscar and Golden Globe.

James suffered a health scare in 2015 when he was rushed to hospital suffering with chest pain.

But the Hollywood vet was not having a heart attack; rather he was suffering from a chest infection.

The star has not slowed down with his work in recent years, last starring in 2019 crime drama, Out of Blue.

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