• Faith: Judaism
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  March 26, 1940
• Date of Death:  July 06, 2022

James Caan was an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather."

Caan was born on March 26, 1940, in the Bronx, New York City, to Sophie and Arthur Caan, Jewish immigrants from Bingen am Rhein, Germany. His father was a kosher meat dealer. James grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, alongside his siblings, Ronnie and Barbara. He attended Michigan State University and later transferred to Hofstra University in New York, though he did not complete his degree. During his time at Hofstra, he developed an interest in acting and subsequently studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre under the renowned acting coach Sanford Meisner.

Caan's acting career began in the early 1960s with appearances in television series such as "The Untouchables," "Dr. Kildare," and "Naked City." He made his film debut in 1963 with a minor role in "Irma la Douce." His breakthrough came in 1965 when he starred in Howard Hawks' "Red Line 7000," followed by a notable role in "El Dorado" (1966) alongside John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.

In 1969, Caan collaborated with director Francis Ford Coppola on "The Rain People," portraying a troubled football player. This partnership with Coppola led to his iconic role as Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather" (1972), earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal of the hot-headed eldest son of the Corleone family remains one of his most memorable performances.

Throughout the 1970s, Caan showcased his versatility in various genres. He starred in the dystopian sports film "Rollerball" (1975), the romantic musical "Funny Lady" (1975) opposite Barbra Streisand, and the war epic "A Bridge Too Far" (1977). In 1981, he played a professional safecracker in Michael Mann's neo-noir film "Thief," a role he later cited as one of his favorites.

The 1980s were challenging for Caan, marked by personal struggles and a brief hiatus from acting. He returned to the screen in 1987 with Coppola's "Gardens of Stone." In 1990, he delivered a compelling performance as novelist Paul Sheldon in the film adaptation of Stephen King's "Misery," starring alongside Kathy Bates. The decade also saw him in roles such as a casino boss in "Honeymoon in Vegas" (1992) and a tough cop in "Eraser" (1996) with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In the early 2000s, Caan embraced television, starring as Ed Deline, a former CIA operative turned casino manager, in the NBC series "Las Vegas" (2003–2007). He also appeared in films like "Elf" (2003), portraying the father of Will Ferrell's character, and Lars von Trier's "Dogville" (2003). His later works included roles in "Get Smart" (2008) and "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (2009), where he lent his voice to the character of Tim Lockwood.

Caan was married four times. His first marriage was to Dee Jay Mathis from 1961 to 1966, with whom he had a daughter, Tara. In 1976, he married Sheila Marie Ryan, a former girlfriend of Elvis Presley; they had a son, Scott Caan, who also became an actor. This marriage ended in 1977. His third marriage was to Ingrid Hajek from 1990 to 1995, and they had a son named Alexander. Caan's fourth marriage was to Linda Stokes from 1995 to 2017, and they had two sons, James Arthur and Jacob Nicholas.

Beyond acting, Caan had a passion for martial arts, earning a sixth-degree black belt in Gosoku-ryu karate. He also supported the Republican Party and identified as an "ultra-conservative."

James Caan passed away on July 6, 2022, at the age of 82. His death was confirmed by his family on his official Twitter account, stating, "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6." The family appreciated the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and requested privacy during that difficult time.

What religion was James Caan?

Caan was born to Jewish parents who immigrated from Germany. He was raised in the Jewish faith and maintained a connection to his heritage throughout his life. In 2016, he visited Israel, touring the Gush Etzion region and expressing support for the country. During his visit, he urged Israel not to withdraw to the 1967 lines, reflecting his strong stance on the nation's security. In a 2019 film titled "Holy Lands," Caan portrayed a retired Jewish cardiologist who moves to Israel to become a pig farmer, a role that intertwined his heritage with his craft.