Caan, finest identified for his Oscar-nominated efficiency as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather movies alongside Hollywood actors Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton, died on Wednesday night, his household confirmed.
Coppola, who had labored with Caan on The Rain Individuals earlier than The Godfather, mentioned in an announcement given to the PA information company: “Jimmy was somebody who stretched by means of my life longer and nearer than any movement image determine I’ve ever identified.
Director of The Godfather movies Francis Ford Coppola and the forged have remembered “good, form and wildly gifted” James Caan following his demise aged 82.
“From these earlier occasions working collectively on The Rain Individuals and all through all of the milestones of my life, his movies and the various nice roles he performed won’t ever be forgotten.
“He’ll at all times be my outdated buddy from Sunnyside, my collaborator and one of many funniest folks I’ve ever identified.”
Equally, Pacino, who starred as Michael Corleone within the basic movies, mentioned that Caan was his “fictional brother and lifelong buddy.”
He mentioned: “It’s exhausting to consider that he received’t be on the earth anymore as a result of he was so alive and daring. An excellent actor, a superb director and my expensive buddy. I’m gonna miss him.”
In the meantime, De Niro added he was “very very unhappy to listen to about Jimmy’s passing.”
Shire, who performed Connie Corleone within the crime saga movies, mentioned in an announcement given to the PA information company: “James was an excellent man, a sort man, a household man, and a wildly gifted man – whose nice expertise will at all times be cherished and remembered. My prayers are together with his household that he treasured so dearly.”
Equally, star of The Godfather III movie Joe Mantegna tweeted: “One of many nice presents in being a part of The Godfather household was changing into mates with James Caan. Relaxation In Peace Jimmy.”
The veteran actor’s different notable credit embody enjoying cancer-stricken Chicago Bears footballer Brian Piccolo in sporting drama Brian’s Tune, which noticed him earn an Emmy nomination in 1972.
Brian’s Tune co-star and Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams led tributes to the actor on Thursday, sharing an image on Twitter of Caan smiling whereas perched on his lap.
He wrote: “Workforce Mates and mates until the tip. RIP Jimmy,” with a broken-heart emoji.
Actor Gary Sinise, who starred as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump, tweeted: “Very unhappy to listen to the information that James Caan has died. Heartbroken for his household & his mates.
“Great to know him & name him a pal. Jimmy was so supportive of Gary Sinise Basis & my work w/ our veterans. He can be missed. Thanks my buddy. Relaxation In Peace. God bless you.”
