LOS ANGELES, July 7 (Reuters) – American actor James Caan, who starred as gangster Sonny Corleone in epic mafia movie “The Godfather,” has died at age 82, his household mentioned in a press release on Thursday.
The assertion, posted on Caan’s official Twitter account, mentioned the actor died Wednesday night. No explanation for loss of life or location had been supplied.
“The household appreciates the outpouring of affection and heartfelt condolences and asks that you just proceed to respect their privateness throughout this tough time,” the assertion mentioned.
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Caan was nominated for an Academy Award for greatest supporting actor for his portrayal of the hot-tempered Corleone in 1972’s “The Godfather.” He reprised the position in flashback scenes in “The Godfather: Half II” in 1974. Different nominations included 4 Golden Globes and an Emmy.
Al Pacino, who performed Sonny Corleone’s brother Michael in “The Godfather,” praised Caan as “a fantastic actor, a superb director and my pricey buddy.”
“It’s laborious to imagine that he gained’t be on the planet anymore as a result of he was so alive and daring,” Pacino mentioned in a press release.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Caan in “The Godfather” and 1969 film “The Rain Folks,” mentioned Caan’s movies “and the numerous nice roles he performed won’t ever be forgotten.”
Caan’s profession spanned six a long time and included a broad vary of different roles in films from psychological thriller “Distress” to comedy “Elf.” Final yr, he starred in romantic comedy “Queen Bees” reverse Ellen Burstyn.
James Edmund Caan was born within the Bronx borough of New York Metropolis on March 26, 1940 to German Jewish immigrants. One in all three siblings, Caan started appearing on tv in 1961. He gained widespread popularity of his position within the 1971 TV film “Brian’s Music,” wherein he performed real-life Chicago Bears soccer participant Brian Piccolo, who died of most cancers at age 26. The position earned Caan an Emmy nomination.
Billy Dee Williams, who starred with Caan in “Brian’s Music,” shared an undated photograph of the 2 collectively lately on his Twitter account.
“Crew Mates and mates until the top. RIP Jimmy,” Williams tweeted with a damaged coronary heart emoji.
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Reporting by Lisa Richwine;
Extra reporting by Tyler Clifford;
Modifying by Diane Craft and Marguerita Choy
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