Actor James Caan, identified for his roles in “The Godfather” and different movies over a protracted profession, has died at 82, his household confirmed Thursday. 

“It’s with nice unhappiness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the night of July 6,” a assertion posted to the late actor’s Twitter web page learn. “The household appreciates the outpouring of affection and heartfelt condolences and asks that you simply proceed to respect their privateness throughout this tough time.”

Born in 1940 in Queens, New York, Caan labored in Hollywood for over 60 years. He began in his 20s following a switch from Michigan State College to Hofstra College, when he started reserving visitor roles on TV dramas like “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.” 

When he was 26, Caan appeared within the 1966 western “El Dorado,” alongside legends John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. The position launched his profession, resulting in extra initiatives like “Brian’s Track,” a TV film a few terminally-ill soccer participant.

Caan finally landed the position of a lifetime: Sonny Corleone within the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola movie “The Godfather.” His efficiency garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Greatest Supporting Actor. 

Following the success of “The Godfather,” Caan starred in movies together with “The Gambler,” “Rollerball,” “Thief,” and “Distress.” He additionally reprised his position as Sonny in a flashback scene in “The Godfather II.”

Within the 1980s, Caan stated he fell into melancholy and drug dependancy whereas coping with the lack of his sister to leukemia. 

“I had a foul bout with cocaine for a short while,” he informed CBS “Sunday Morning” in a 2021 interview. “I misplaced my sister when it occurred. And she or he was like, I do not know, once I misplaced her, I could not, I could not deal with it, I did not know what to do.”

Caan received a brand new era of followers when he starred within the 2003 Christmas movie “Elf,” as Walter Hobbs, Buddy the Elf’s organic father who should study the true that means of Christmas and household. He stated that he initially stated no to Will Ferrell’s request to be within the film however finally modified his thoughts. 

He additionally received popularity of his portrayal of a on line casino boss within the TV collection “Las Vegas.”

“I fought at all times by no means to be the identical particular person,” Caan informed CBS “Sunday Morning.” “I imply, the enjoyable of being an actor is being any person else for 3 months, you realize?”

He had no intentions of slowing down and was nonetheless invested in persevering with his work in Hollywood, together with hopefully enjoying a “actual character.”

“I can not take it straightforward,” he stated. “I get pleasure from working. I like to work with good folks. I’ve extra enjoyable once I’m working, as a result of I get to know new folks, and principally good folks, you realize? Actually good — at all times in some, you realize, some issues there’s a few folks you meet, and there is a lot — I’ve lots of laughs and I get respect, too, generally.”