James Caan is best known for his tough roles as Sonny Corleone. “The Godfather”Frank in “Thief,”Caan has passed away. Caan was 82.
The Oscar-nominated performer’s other memorable roles include “Misery,” “Brian’s Song”And “Elf.”
“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 actor’s Twitter page said.
Caan, the son Jewish immigrants from Germany who was born in Bronx in 1940 and raised in Sunnyside Queens, was born to Caan. Caan was raised in Sunnyside Queens, and would go to Michigan State University to play college-level football.
Afterwards, Caan got bit by the acting bug and attended New York City’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre to study acting for the next five years under Sanford Meisner.
Caan would break out playing Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo in 1971’s “Brians Song”Gale Sayers was played by Billy Dee Williams opposite. Caan would receive his first Emmy nomination in the role of the cancer-stricken athlete.
More to come…