James Caan

James Caan, born as James Edmund Caan, was an American actor who made his mark in the film industry with a diverse range of roles in both film and television. Born on March 26, 1940, in The Bronx, New York City, Caan made his debut in the acting world in 1961. He gained substantial recognition playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972) – a performance that won him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. In 1978, he received a motion-picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

After his early roles in films like El Dorad (1966), Countdown (1967), and The Rain People (1969), he bagged an Emmy Award nomination for his depiction of Brian Piccolo in the 1971 television film Brian's Song. Caan's other notable films include Cinderella Liberty (1973), Rollerball (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), and Thief (1981). After a five-year break, he returned with films like Gardens of Stone (1987), Misery (1990), Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), Eraser (1996), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), and Get Smart (2008). Outside of acting, Caan was a practicing martial artist, earning various ranks and the title of Soke Dai by the International Karate Association.