The Godfather legend James Caan ‘suffered a heart attack and artery disease in hospital’ as he passed away at age 82
Hollywood icon James Caan tragically passed away at the age of 82 on July 6.
And new reports show that The Godfather star allegedly died as a result of a heart attack, alongside a mixture of other serious heart problems.
According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, the legendary actor passed away due to a heart attack and coronary artery disease.
Tragic: The Godfather legend James Caan reportedly ‘suffered a heart attack and artery disease in hospital’ as he passed away at age 82 earlier this month
While the certificate further details that the actor suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure.
Despite his family releasing a statement to announce the tragic news earlier this month, details of the cause of death were left unknown at the time.
With news outlet TMZ further reporting that James spent his final moments in Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, before being buried at Eden Memorial Park, the resting place for many A-list stars.
His family said in a statement on Twitter: ‘It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6.
Heart problems: According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, the legendary actor passed away due to a heart attack and coronary artery disease (pictured in The Godfather, 1972)
Sharing: Announcing the news, his family said in a statement on Twitter : ‘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.’
And following the announcement, a slew of stars poured in their tributes for the much loved Hollywood star.
Barbra Streisand — who starred in 1975’s Funny Lady as Fanny Brice, while Caan played her husband Billy Rose — spoke warmly of her costar in a tribute tweet at the time.
‘I’m so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented,’ she wrote, while sharing a black-and-white photo of the two that was taken around the time of their film.
‘A legend’: Tributes poured in for James from celebrities, following his death on July 6 (pictured in 2007)
Al Pacino, who played the lead role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather and its sequels, also shared a statement about Caan.
‘Jimmy was my fictional brother and my lifelong friend,’ he said. ‘It’s hard to believe that he won’t be in the world anymore because he was so alive and daring. A great actor, a brilliant director and my dear friend. I’m gonna miss him.’
Caan starred in director Francis Ford Coppola’s first film, 1969’s The Rain People, and they went on to make The Godfather in 1972. The filmmaker shared a tribute to the late actor for Deadline.
‘Jimmy was someone who stretched through my life longer and closer than any motion picture figure I’ve ever known,’ Coppola said. ‘From those earlier times working together on The Rain People, and throughout all the milestones of my life, his films and the many great 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 known.’
Costars: Barbra Streisand — who starred in 1975’s Funny Lady as Fanny Brice, while Caan played her husband Billy Rose — spoke warmly of her costar in a tribute tweet
Old pals: ‘Jimmy was someone who stretched through my life longer and closer than any motion picture figure I’ve ever known,’ said Caan’s Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola. (L–R) Coppola, Caan and Talia Shire seen in February in LA
Like brothers: Caan’s Godfather costar Al Pacino called the late actor ‘my fictional brother and my lifelong friend’; Caan, Marlon Brando, Pacino and John Cazale seen in The Godfather (1972)
Robert De Niro also shared a short statement about Caan’s death. De Niro played a major supporting role in The Godfather Part II (1974) as young Vito Corleone, who was played in the original by Marlon Brando.
Caan made a brief appearance in the final flashback scene of the sequel, but he and De Niro shared no scenes together.
‘I’m very very sad to hear about Jimmy’s passing,’ De Niro said.
Adam Sandler, who was joined by Caan in 1996’s Bulletproof and That’s My Boy (2012), tweeted that he ‘loved’ the veteran actor ‘very much.’
‘Always wanted to be like him. So happy I got to know him. Never ever stopped laughing when I was around that man. His movies were best of the best. We all will miss him terribly. Thinking of his family and sending my love.’
Sweet: Adam Sandler, who was joined by Caan in 1996’s Bulletproof and That’s My Boy (2012), tweeted that he ‘loved’ the veteran actor ‘very much’ and was ‘so happy I got to know him’
Film legend: Rob Reiner, who directed the Caan-starring thriller Misery, wrote that he ‘loved working’ with the late actor
It’s a hit: Reiner and Caan’s adaptation of Misery, based on the book by Stephen King, was a critical and commercial success; Caan (center) seen with Reiner (R) and Michael McKean (L) in 2014 in NYC
Chilling: Caan starred in Misery (pictured) as a popular writer who is imprisoned by a homicidal nurse (Kathy Bates) obsessed with his romance series after she finds him in the wake of a car crash
Rob Reiner, who directed Caan’s movie Misery, wrote: ‘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.’
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred with Caan in the 1996 action thriller Eraser, called him an ‘icon’ and a ‘legend.’
‘He inspired everyone who has ever been in front of a camera. I was lucky to work with him and see his talent and his fantastic sense of humor firsthand. He was a great training partner in the gym and a true friend, and I’ll miss him.’
Antonio Banderas tweeted, ‘A great actor has left us. Deepest condolences to all of his family and loved ones.’
Maria Shriver wrote: ‘So sad about Jimmy Caan. He was a legend. He was always kind to me. Sending his family my love.’
Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn wrote: ‘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).’
The filmmaker included several posters for Caan’s most acclaimed films, including Michael Mann’s thriller Thief (1981), The Gambler (1974), the buddy police comedy Freebie And The Bean (1974) and Wes Anderson’s feature debut Bottle Rocket (1996), which Caan starred in with Luke and Owen Wilson.
Buddies: Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred with Caan in the 1996 action thriller Eraser, called him an ‘icon’ and a ‘legend,’ as well as a ‘great training partner in the gym and a true friend’
Departed: Antonio Banderas tweeted, ‘A great actor has left us. Deepest condolences to all of his family and loved ones.’
Paying tribute: Maria Shriver wrote: ‘So sad about Jimmy Caan. He was a legend. He was always kind to me. Sending his family my love.’
Impressive filmography: Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn singled out some of his favorite Caan performances in Michael Mann’s Thief (1981) The Gambler and Freebie And The Bean (both 1974) and Wes Anderson’s Bottle Rocket (1996)
Saluted: Forrest Gump actor Gary Sinise wrote that he was ‘heartbroken’ for the late actors family and friends while complimenting him on his work with veterans
Forrest Gump actor Gary Sinise wrote that he was ‘heartbroken’ for the late actors family and friends.
‘Wonderful to know him & call him a pal. Jimmy was so supportive of Gary Sinise Foundation & my work w/ our veterans. He will be missed. Thank you my friend. Rest in Peace. God bless you.’
‘Sad to hear of James Caan’s passing,’ tweeted Mark Wahlberg, who appeared with him in James Gray’s 2000 crime drama The Yards. ‘It was an honor and pleasure to know and work with a true legend like Jimmy. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP.’
Josh Brolin said that Caan was his ‘friend’ and ‘spirit animal.’
‘Every conversation I had with you was full of piss and vinegar and guttural laughs. I love what you brought to this world: an old school we are in it together but we must poke each other incessantly to keep the humility and connections taut schooling. Knowing you are an era of man gone whose sensitivities were many saddens. Bon voyage. my friend [sic].’
Zoe Saldaña, who appeared with Caan in 2013’s Blood Ties, wrote that ‘it was an honor to have worked with you and exchanged jokes about being from Queens, New York.’
Inspired: ‘Sad to hear of James Caan’s passing,’ tweeted Mark Wahlberg, who appeared with him in James Gray’s 2000 crime drama The Yards. ‘It was an honor and pleasure to know and work with a true legend like Jimmy. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP’
High praise: Josh Brolin said that Caan was his ‘friend’ and ‘spirit animal’
Hometown favorite: Zoe Saldaña, who appeared with Caan in 2013’s Blood Ties, wrote that ‘it was an honor to have worked with you and exchanged jokes about being from Queens, New York’
‘I was so honored to have worked with him’: Caan’s Elf co-star Zooey Deschanel posted this sweet tribute
‘He was so much fun’: Sharon stone also gushed about working with Caan
Thief was among Caan’s most lauded films, and the film’s director, Michael Mann — best known for helming Heat and The Last Of The Mohicans — shared a moving tribute to his old friend and colleague.
‘What a terrible and tragic loss,’ he wrote while sharing a photo of the two on the set of Thief. ‘ Jimmy was not just a great actor with total commitment and a venturesome spirit, but he had a vitality in the core of his being that drove everything from his art and friendship to athletics and very good times.
‘There was a core of values within him about how people should be, more or less. It might be variable, the corners could be rounded with urban irony, but there was a line and it was non-fungible. And it produced many outrageous and hilarious anecdotes,’ he continued.
‘I loved him and I loved working with him. He reached into the core of his being during difficult personal times to be the rebellious, half wild child, institutionalized outsider Frank, in my first film, Thief. Frank is half Frank, half Jimmy.
‘The character and the man — like his Sonny in The Godfather — were made for each other,’ he concluded, adding, ‘Unique. What a loss.’
‘What a loss’: Thief was among Caan’s most lauded films, and the film’s director, Michael Mann — best known for helming Heat and The Last Of The Mohicans — shared a moving tribute to his old friend and colleague
Actress Jennifer Tilly recounted a hilarious anecdote that Caan had once told her about the making of The Godfather.
‘James Caan always had the funniest stories,’ she wrote. ‘Once he told me [director Francis Ford] Coppola had the habit of grabbing food off his plate & eating it, so one day he made a sandwich with very hot jalapeños between two pieces of buttered bread, & waited outside Coppola’s airstream…
‘Coppola came roaring out to direct the next scene, grabbed the sandwich off the plate & gobbled it down. Immediately tears started squirting out of his eyes & he started yelling “What is this? What did you do to me?! And Jimmy said meekly “Did I ask you to eat my sandwich? Did I?”‘
Comedian Andy Richter said he was ‘shocked’ to learn of Caan’s death.
‘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,’ he tweeted.
He also urged his fans to watch Thief in a follow-up post.
Surprise! Jennifer Tilly recounted a story Caan told her about pranking director Francis Ford Coppola on the set of The Godfather. Coppola liked to steal his food, so one day he made an extra spicy sandwich and left it out
Dream come true: Comedian Andy Richter said he was ‘shocked’ to learn of Caan’s death before gushing about when he got to work with him on Elf. He also urged his fans to watch Thief
Icon: Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T said that Caan ‘was the star of my Favorite movie ever. And many more. Respect RIP.’ He included a trailer for 1981’s Thief, suggesting that was his favorite film
Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T said that Caan ‘was the star of my Favorite movie ever. And many more. Respect RIP.’
He included a trailer for 1981’s Thief, suggesting that was his favorite film.
Baby Driver director Edgar Wright called the late actor a ‘genuine megawatt movie star’ and listed some of his classic films.
Actor and director Alex Winter called Caan a ‘giant’ and noted that he had recently seen him at a 50th anniversary screening of The Godfather with Coppola and his sister, actress Talia Shire.
Actor James Urbaniak called Caan’s cameo role at the end of The Godfather Part II ‘one of the all-time great star reveals.’
‘You can practically hear the audience cheering. RIP to a real one,’ he wrote.
Piers Morgan wrote that Caan was a ‘brilliant actor’ and commended his ‘magnificent performance’ in The Godfather as ‘ferocious’ and ‘menacing.’
‘Met him once at a party in LA and he was a very funny & highly entertaining man. Sad news,’ he continued.
Impressive list: Baby Driver director Edgar Wright called the late actor a ‘genuine megawatt movie star’ and listed some of his classic films
Too soon: Actor and director Alex Winter called Caan a ‘giant’ and noted that he had recently seen him at a 50th anniversary screening of The Godfather with Coppola and his sister, actress Talia Shire
Star power: Actor James Urbaniak called Caan’s cameo role at the end of The Godfather Part II ‘one of the all-time great star reveals’
The movie star began his career appearing in off-Broadway productions.
He subsequently starred in numerous TV roles, including appearances in the ABC series Naked City, as well as Route 66, Alcoa Premiere and The Untouchables.
Caan made his film debut in 1963, when he appeared in Irma la Douce, an American romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder. He also appeared in The Glory Guy in 1965 and Brian’s Song in 1971, before he landed his breakout role in the Francis Ford Coppola–directed The Godfather in 1972.
In the iconic film, he appeared alongside a host of Hollywood A-listers, including Al Pacino, Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall.
Caan was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film, while he was also nominated for a Golden Globe.
The New York–born star reprised his most iconic character in The Godfather Part II in 1974.
Caan only worked sporadically during the 1980s, but he still appeared in a number of well-known films over recent decades, including ‘Thief’ in 1981 and in the Christmas comedy ‘Elf’ in 2003.
Caan was also set to star alongside the likes of Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Adam Driver and Cate Blanchett in Megalopolis, the much-hyped new film from Coppola.
Caan was married four times, but got divorced from his last wife, Linda Stokes, in 2017.
Impressed: Piers Morgan wrote that Caan was a ‘brilliant actor’ wrote about how ‘funny’ and ‘entertaining’ he was when they met at a party in Los Angeles
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