James Caan: 'Godfather' actor dies aged 82

Celebrity tributes pour in for the New York Bronx-born son of German-Jewish immigrants, known for playing tough guys and gangsters

US actor James Caan and son James Caan Jr arrive for 'The Godfather' 50th Anniversary premiere screening event at Paramount Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

From left, James Caan as Sonny Corleone, Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, Al Pacino as Michael Corleone and John Cazale as Fredo Corleone from the 1972 film 'The Godfather'. Paramount Pictures / AP

Caan poses with his wife US actress Sheila Caan and French-US actress Lilyan Chauvin during the preview of the film 'Funny Lady' in Paris, France. AFP

Caan arriving for the screening of the film 'Blood Ties' at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in France. AFP

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone and James Caan as Sonny Corleone in a scene from 'The Godfather'. Paramount Pictures / AP

Caan arrives at the premiere of 'Mercy' at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California, in 2010. AFP

'Godfather' director Francis Ford Coppola presents an award to Caan during a tribute to his career, at the 10th Marrakesh International Film Festival in Morocco in 2010. AFP

Caan opens the 6th annual Hollyshorts Film Festival in 2010 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

FILE - Scott Caan, right, writer/producer/star of the film "Mercy," poses with his father, fellow cast member James Caan, at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, on May 3, 2010. James Caan, whose roles included "The Godfather," "Brian’s Song" and "Misery," died Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at age 82. (AP Photo / Chris Pizzello, File)

Caan and son Scott at the premiere of the HBO documentary film 'His Way' in Los Angeles, California, in 2011. AP

Caan, whose films included 'The Godfather', 'Brian’s Song' and 'Misery', died on Wednesday, aged 82. Invision / AP

Paramount Pictures vice president Robert Evans, left, his wife, actress Ali MacGraw, and Caan attend the world premiere of 'The Godfather' in New York in 1972. AP

Caan and son James Caan Jr at Paramount Theatre in Hollywood, California, this year. AFP

Billy Dee Williams and Caan in the TV movie 'Brian’s Song', which was based on the real-life relationship between football teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, and the bond established when Piccolo discovers he is dying. Photo: Screen Gems TV

Kathy Bates's character infamously hobbled Caan's in the Stephen King thriller 'Misery'. Photo: Snap / Rex Features

James Caan, best known for his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, and as the object of Kathy Bates’s obsession in Misery, has died. Caan was 82.

The news of his death came via his official Twitter feed.

“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,” the post said.

The Oscar-nominated actor’s other notable roles included the title character in the tear-jerker Brian’s Song, and in Elf, as Will Ferrell’s long-lost father.

Tributes for the actor are beginning to pour in for the actor, including a tweet from his Funny Lady co-star, Barbra Streisand.

"I’m so sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented. #JamesCaan," the legendary actor's Twitter feed read.

Adam Sandler, who acted with him in That's My Boy and Bulletproof tweeted that he, “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.”

"So sad about Jimmy Caan. He was a legend. He was always kind to me. Sending his family my love," Maria Shriver said via Twitter.

Other appearances include Bottle Rocket, Honeymoon In Vegas, Rollerball and Mickey Blue Eyes.

The actor was married four times and is survived by his five children.