James Caan passed away yesterday at the age of 82. “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6,” his rep wrote. “The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Caan is the type of actor where everyone is going to have a favorite movie of his, but it is not necessarily going to be the same as everyone one else’s.
I am sure most will say that his best role was as Sonny in The Godfather. However, there are a lot of men who are going to tell you that they cried when he died in Brian’s Song. Then there are the people who will say they cringed during that scene in Misery. We all know the one. And finally, there will be the ones who laughed with him in Elf.
While those are our favorite roles of his, I am sure he would’ve said his greatest role was being a father to his five children.
Caan’s career spanned all genres, and he nailed them all. So, today pick your favorite part of his and watch him in it. I will be crying as I watch Brian’s Song again.
