James Caan, Legendary Godfather and Elf Actor, Dead at 82

Hollywood is in mourning.

James Caan, a veteran actor whose impressive career spanned over five decades, passed away on Wednesday, July 6.

He was 82 years old.

A tweet from the star’s official account confirmed the news, reading simply:

“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.”

No cause of death has been announced at this time.

Caan starred in 90-plus movies and 18 television shows over the past many, many years.

His most notable roles include The Godfather (1972), Misery (1990) and Elf (2003).

Other memorable parts throughout his career include films such as:

Brian’s Song (1970), Cinderella Liberty (1973), The Gambler (1974), Rollerball (1975), Dick Tracy (1990), Bottle Rocket (1996) and Eraser (1996).

For his role in The Godfather, Can was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He would reprise the legendary role two years later in The Godfather Part II.

The actor was honored with a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.

Prior to his passing, Caan was set to star in Megalopolis, which would have been his fifth collaboration with director Francis Ford Coppola.

Filming was scheduled for Fall 2022.

In the wake of Caan’s death, a number of well-known stars took to social media in order to pay tribute.

Tweeted director James Gunn:

“Rest In Peace James Caan. 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).”

Added Andy Richter, who worked with Caan on Elf:

“Shocked. Was lucky enough, after a lifetime of loving his work, to get to work with him and I loved him as a person even more.

“Funny, warm, self-deprecating, and effortlessly talented. They say never meet your heroes, but he proved that to be very very wrong.”

Wrote Rob Reiner:

“So sorry to hear the news. I loved working with him. And the only Jew I knew who could calf rope with the best of them. Love to the family.”

And Piers Morgan:

“Brilliant actor – loved him as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, such a ferocious, menacing, magnificent performance. Met him once at a party in LA and he was a very funny & highly entertaining man. Sad news.”

Caan is survived by sons Scott, James, Jacob and Alexander, as well as daughter Tara.

May he rest in peace.