James Caan, Macho Leading Man of Hollywood, Dies at 82
Caan died Wednesday night in Los Angeles, his rep Arnold Robinson told The Hollywood Reporter.
No other details of his death were immediately available.
He was memorable in the first two 'Godfather' films, 'Rollerball,' 'Brian's Song' and 'Misery' — and turned down a great many roles, too.
Paramount originally cast him as younger brother Michael and Carmine Caridi as Sonny.
Caan improvised a line during a scene that solidified the gangster character.
He portrayed real-life Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer after turning pro.
Many critics consider Brian's Song to be among the finest football movies ever made.
Caan showed great versatility during a six-decade career, turning down some big roles.
He played song-and-dance man Billy Rose opposite Barbra Streisand in Funny Lady (1975), mugged it up with Mel Brooks in Silent Movie (1976).
Caan clowned with Nicolas Cage for the affections of Sarah Jessica Parker in Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) and served as straight man to Will Ferrell in Elf (2003).
James Caan's film roles include T.R. Baskin (1971), Slither (1973), Freebie and the Bean (1974), Chapter Two (1979), Flesh and Bone (1993), Bottle Rocket (1996), Eraser (2000), Dogville (2003), Middle Men (2009) and That's My Boy (2012).
He played casino owner Ed Deline on the NBC drama Las Vegas, a Miami mob boss on Magic City and a boozing ex-baseball star on Back in the Game.
During the '60s, Caan frequently popped up on the small screen.
Caan took his only stab at directing with Hide in Plain Sight (1980). He played U.S. Army Sgt. Clell Hazard in the Vietnam War drama Gardens of Stone (1987).
Caan remained busy for the next three decades, alternating between film and television work.
From 1990-94 he was married to Ingrid Hajek, and then to Linda Stokes, and they had two boys.
Caan filed for divorce three times, including in 2005, 2009 and 2015.
Most recently, he appeared in a string of little-seen films, including JL Ranch and The Good Neighbor.