James Caan, actor of The Godfather and Misery, died at the age of 82

James Canaan, who starred in the classics The Godfather Y Miserydied at the age of 82, his close environment reported this Thursday.

“It is with great sadness that we report Jimmy’s death on the night of July 6,” his family said on the actor’s Twitter account.

“Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors the industry has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and loved,” his manager Matt DelPiano wrote in a statement sent to AFP. “I will miss him very much.”

Caan made his debut on television in 1961. After small roles on the small screen, he jumped into the movies, where he shared scenes with stars such as John Wayne, Candice Bergen and Robert Duvall, with whom he worked in rain on my heart (1969) under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola.

But it was his performance in The Godfather in 1972 the one that consecrated it.

In the mob classic directed by the then young Coppola, Caan brings Santino to life Sonny Corleonethe eldest son of Vito Corleone, whose untimely temperament defines the course of the family and creates some of the most remembered scenes of the blockbuster film that won three Oscars, including best picture.

Caan was nominated for best supporting actor by the Academy thanks to his explosive performance.

“Jimmy has been in my life longer and closer than any movie figure I have ever known,” Coppola said in a statement to AFP. “His films of his and his great roles will never be forgotten. He will always be my great friend, my collaborator and one of the funniest people I have ever met,” added the 83-year-old director.

“His great talent will always be loved and remembered,” actress Talia Shire, who played Connie, Sonny Corleone’s younger sister, also told AFP.

“A blessing”

At a 2010 press conference, Caan said he never tires of talking about the film, which marks its 50th anniversary this year.

“It was a blessing (…) I did not know they would do a second part, if I had known I would have refused to die,” the actor joked then, referring to Sonny’s tragic outcome.

“Unlike actors who hide or don’t want to give autographs or be recognized, I’m very grateful that people still remember that I’m alive and all that.”

The announcement of his death flooded social networks with clips of his papers and with words of admiration and regret.

“In memory of the legendary James Caan. May he rest in peace,” the Paramount Movies studio tweeted, alongside a photo of the actor.

“talented actor”

Other films that marked the career of cathey weren’t Love leave towards midnight (1973), The player (1974), and the futuristic dystopia rollerball (1975).

In 1990 he starred with Katy Bates the film adaptation of Stephen King’s book, Misery. In the suspense film, he plays a troubled writer who, after an apparent accident, becomes a hostage of a fan.

I was so sad to hear that Jimmy left us,” the film’s director Rob Reiner reacted.

The actor’s personal life seemed at times to get mixed up with some of his more famous roles.

In 1992 he testified at the trial of Ronald Lorenzo, a known member of the Bonanno crime family of New York, who was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Caan he said Lorenzo was his best friend.

In 1994 he was arrested for drawing a semi-automatic weapon in the middle of an argument over a vehicle that was vandalized.

Born in New York on March 26, 1940, Caan was married four times and had five children, including actor Scott Caan.

The cause of death was not reported, but according to local media, the actor died at his home in Los Angeles.

“The family appreciates the demonstrations of love and heartfelt condolences, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time,” added the publication on his Twitter account, closing with “End of tweet”, a phrase with which Caan signed his posts.

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