‘The Godfather’ Star James Caan Dead at 82: Cary Elwes, James Gunn and More Stars React

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'The Godfather' Star James Caan Dead at 82: Cary Elwes, James Gunn and More Stars React

Gone too soon. Celebrities including Cary Elwes, James Gunn and Ethan Embry mourned the loss of actor James Caan after his death at age 82. “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," a statement from Caan's family read via Twitter on Thursday, July 7. "The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time." Gunn, 55, took to social media amid the news to pay his respects to the Oscar winner. "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 tweeted in honor of the late actor. [sendtonews type="float" key="rWsAbD887Z-2832641-14453"] Meanwhile, Andy Richter opened up about getting the chance to work with Caan on Elf before his passing. "Shocked. 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," the comedian, 55, wrote via Twitter. "Funny, warm, self-deprecating, and effortlessly talented. They say never meet your heroes, but he proved that to be very very wrong." Ahead of his death, Caan reflected on his career and was still looking for more acting opportunities. “I want to do some really good character stuff,” he told The Independent in January 2021. “Henry Fonda always said he wanted to do a good picture before he passed away. He was never satisfied. I mean, I thought he did a couple of great pictures, you know? But now I get what he meant. I really want to work." The New York native added: "I taught an acting class for a couple of years here, which was fun and rewarding, but it’s not as much fun as doing it. I just want the opportunity, while I’m still walking, to do something that will have you calling me and saying, ‘Jimmy, that was really good.’ If you know any directors, tell ’em I’m ready.” Scroll down to read more heartfelt tributes about the late star: [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

'The Godfather' Star James Caan Dead at 82: Cary Elwes, James Gunn and More Stars React

Gone too soon. Celebrities including Cary Elwes, James Gunn and Ethan Embry mourned the loss of actor James Caan after his death at age 82. “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," a statement from Caan's family read via Twitter on Thursday, July 7. "The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time." Gunn, 55, took to social media amid the news to pay his respects to the Oscar winner. "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 tweeted in honor of the late actor. [sendtonews type="float" key="rWsAbD887Z-2832641-14453"] Meanwhile, Andy Richter opened up about getting the chance to work with Caan on Elf before his passing. "Shocked. 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," the comedian, 55, wrote via Twitter. "Funny, warm, self-deprecating, and effortlessly talented. They say never meet your heroes, but he proved that to be very very wrong." Ahead of his death, Caan reflected on his career and was still looking for more acting opportunities. “I want to do some really good character stuff,” he told The Independent in January 2021. “Henry Fonda always said he wanted to do a good picture before he passed away. He was never satisfied. I mean, I thought he did a couple of great pictures, you know? But now I get what he meant. I really want to work." The New York native added: "I taught an acting class for a couple of years here, which was fun and rewarding, but it’s not as much fun as doing it. I just want the opportunity, while I’m still walking, to do something that will have you calling me and saying, ‘Jimmy, that was really good.’ If you know any directors, tell ’em I’m ready.” Scroll down to read more heartfelt tributes about the late star: [podcast_block]

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Pierce Brosnan

The James Bond actor, 69, bid Caan “farewell” via Instagram on Friday, July 8, sharing a series of behind-the-scenes photos from their time on the Fast Charlie set. “We had many laughs together over those five days in New Orleans … you were an inspiration to me as young actor starting out, and an even greater one as a man watching you work each day against great physical pain and discomfort,” Brosnan wrote in his heartfelt tribute. “You gave of yourself to the art of acting and performance to the very end. My heart has a deep sorrow this day for your passing. I shall cherish the memory of you always. My heartfelt condolences to your family. May you Rest In Peace, forever in the light.”

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Alec Baldwin

"Jimmy Caan, he taught me how to swear," the 64-year-old actor said with a laugh via an Instagram video of his late friend. "It's an inflection, it's an emphasis."

Baldwin added: "He was a sweetie. He was a sweet guy. Very kind to me. And I loved him. He was a good guy.”

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Miles Teller

“RIP James ‘Jimmy’ Caan, a true legend of the silver screen,” the Top Gun: Maverick star, 35, tweeted. “They don’t make ‘em like him anymore.”

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Zooey Deschanel

“James Caan was a true delight. My favorite memory of him was shooting part of a montage for the end of Elf and he started playing piano — he played beautifully — I sang and he played and I was just astonished by his talent,” the New Girl alum recalled of working with the late actor via Instagram Story. “I think he was just capable of so many things and that’s what made him such a wonderful actor. I was so honored to have worked with him.”

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Kathy Bates

“I’m heartbroken to hear of Jimmy’s passing. Shocked. No words. Thank you, Jimmy. Love you, your ‘Kat,’” Bates tweeted.

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Barbra Streisand

“I’m so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented,” the Funny Girl star tweeted alongside a throwback photo of the pair.

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Josh Duhamel

"I just want to take a minute to remember Jimmy Caan, one of the kindest, coolest, funniest people I've ever met, one of my mentors," Duhamel, who starred opposite Caan on Las Vegas from 2003 until 2008, said in an emotional Instagram Story post. "You'll be missed Jimmy Caan, I love you."

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Francis Ford Coppola

"Jimmy was someone who stretched through my life longer and closer than any motion picture figure I’ve ever known,” Coppola, who directed all three Godfather films, said in a statement to Deadline. “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.”

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Robert De Niro

“I’m very, very sad to hear about Jimmy’s passing," the Oscar winner said.

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Al Pacino

“Jimmy was my fictional brother and my lifelong friend,” Pacino, who starred opposite Caan in The Godfather franchise, said in a statement to Deadline. "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.”

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Adam Sandler

The New York native took to social media to post a heartwarming tribute, tweeting, "Loved him 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."

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Steven Van Zandt

"Such a legend. What pleasure he brought us. The greatest example ever of why actors should be free to play parts across ethnic and racial lines," the musician wrote via Twitter. "One of the greatest Italian gangsters in film history played by a Jewish guy! Deepest condolences to his family and friends."

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Cary Elwes

The Princess Bride actor honored Caan with a tribute. "Legend… Rest in Power, Jimmy. Our condolences to Scotty and his family🙏," Elwes tweeted.

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Rob Reiner

"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," the All in the Family alum tweeted.

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Ethan Embry

The Sweet Home Alabama actor reflected on his bond with Caan, writing via Twitter, "The Caan family played a major role in saving my life 11 years ago. I am so sorry for your loss and hope you can again soon find peace."

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James Gunn

The director replied with a heart emoji to the news.

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Piers Morgan

"Brilliant actor - loved him as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, such a ferocious, menacing, magnificent performance. Met him once at a party in LA and he was a very funny & highly entertaining man. Sad news," Morgan wrote via Twitter.

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Andy Richter

Richter reminded his Twitter followers to watch Thief in honor of Caan's passing.