Photo: Jack Robinson / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Hollywood paid tribute to the legendary James Caan after the news of his death at the age of 82 on Thursday, with many of Caan’s colleagues and friends sharing memories of the late actor. Al Pacino, who starred in Godfather’s films with Caan, said in a statement, “Jimmy was my fictional brother and my lifelong friend. It’s hard to believe he’ll no longer be in the world because he was so lively and daring. A great actor, a brilliant director and my dear friend. I will miss him. ” Co-star Robert De Niro added, “I’m very, very sad to hear about Jimmy’s death.” Francis Ford Coppola, a frequent contributor to Caan, told Deadline, “Jimmy was someone who extended my life longer and closer than any film figure I’ve ever met. From those earlier times working together in The Rain People, and throughout all the milestones of my life, his films and the many roles he played will never be forgotten.He will always be my old friend from Sunnyside, my collaborator and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. ”See more tributes to Caan below.
What a most terrible and tragic loss. Jimmy was not only a great actor with a total commitment and an adventurous spirit, but he had a vitality at the core of his being that drove everything from his art and friendship to athletics and very good times. pic.twitter.com/72b06VJGIi
– Michael Mann (@MichaelMann) July 7, 2022
I am very sorry to know how to talk about Jimmy. He was so talented. #JamesCaan pic.twitter.com/5CB1NKTYa9
– Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) July 7, 2022
James Caan. I loved her very much. I always wanted to be like him. So happy to have met him. I never stopped laughing when I was around that man. His films were the best of the best. We will all miss him a lot. Thinking of his family and sending my love. pic.twitter.com/a0q8rCP1Yl
– Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) July 7, 2022
I am very sorry to hear the news. I loved working with him. And the only Jew I knew who could raise rope with the best of them. Love to family.
– Rob Reiner (@robreiner) July 7, 2022
I am very saddened to learn about the death of James Caan, who made an Oscar-worthy performance as Paul Sheldon in Rob Reiner’s exceptional film version of MISERY.
– Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 8, 2022
I’m heartbroken to hear of Jimmy’s death. Surprise. Without words. Thanks, Jimmy. I love you, your ‘Kat’ @James_Caan
– Kathy Bates (@MsKathyBates) July 7, 2022
James Caan was a real treat. My favorite memory of him was filming part of a montage for the end of Elf and he started playing the piano — he played really well — I sang and he played and I was amazed at his talent! pic.twitter.com/dnzryK81Fd
– zooey deschanel (@ZooeyDeschanel) July 7, 2022
Companions and friends to the end. RIP Jimmy 💔 # jamescaan pic.twitter.com/s7lfMzMlh3
– Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) July 7, 2022
RIP James Caan. Surprise. I was lucky, after a lifetime of loving his job, to get to work with him and I loved him even more as a person. Fun, warm, self-critical and effortlessly talented. They say you never know your heroes, but it proved to be very wrong
– Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) July 7, 2022
James Caan was an icon, a legend. It inspired everyone who has ever been in front of a camera. I was lucky enough to work with him and see first hand his talent and his fantastic sense of humor. He was a great gym classmate and a true friend, and I will miss him.
– Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 7, 2022
I once passed James Caan at the Paramount Pictures police station. He looked at me with Data’s makeup and uniform and uttered just one word: “Working?” Honest. REST IN PEACE
– Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) July 7, 2022
My second acting job was with @James_Caan. It was a lot of fun. From that moment on he always turned his back on me. Jimmy, I love every second 🤍 Go with God. Sharon pic.twitter.com/2F1JN0rICk
– Sharon Stone (@sharonstone) July 7, 2022
He was great at the film, his huge physique, literally tied up, I think it’s his physique and body language; her walk as Sonny must be the most imitated walk in history: https://t.co/nOmf4lYs9a
– John Cusack (@johncusack) July 8, 2022
Well, this is just James Caan shit. I was lucky enough to work with him and be friends. He’s always a funny guy. He always supported me in my career. He even made a cameo in my TV special and got Robert Duvall involved. A highlight of my career. God bless James Caan.
– Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) July 7, 2022
It is sad to know of the death of James Caan … it was an honor and a pleasure to meet and work with a true legend like Jimmy. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. REST IN PEACE. 🕊
– Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg) July 7, 2022
James Caan always had the funniest stories. He once told me that Coppola was in the habit of taking the food from the plate and eating it, so one day he made a sandwich with very hot jalapeños between two pieces of bread with butter and waited outside the stream of Coppola’s air …
– Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) July 7, 2022
We were lucky enough to work with James Caan on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It brought a pathos and authenticity to the role of Tim Lockwood that held the film together. RIP to a pic.twitter.com/tmk3JdOgE3 caption
– Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) July 7, 2022
Legend … Rest in power, Jimmy. Our condolences to Scotty and his family🙏 @James_Caan pic.twitter.com/3rDAT30HTj
– Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) July 7, 2022
He has left us a great actor. The deepest condolences to his entire family and loved ones. RIP @James_Caan pic.twitter.com/GeDnlBVHvB
– Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) July 7, 2022
RIP James Caan.
– Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) July 7, 2022
Today the great James Caan has left us. If you’ve never seen her perform at Brian’s Song, try finding her. One of the great shooters. Great job, sir. Have a nice trip for you. #RIPJamesCaan
– jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 8, 2022
I gave my son the name Santino Corleone to the Godfather and the man who infamously played him died today on my son’s birthday. From one Sonny to another … God bless you James Caan and happy birthday Sonny! #SantinoRafaelLopez #JamesCaan #TheGodfather #HBDMijo pic.twitter.com/rFSW7JY9Ma
– Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) July 7, 2022