James Caan Dies: The Godfather and Las Vegas Star Was 82

Prolific actor James Caan has died at the age of 82. Caan died late Wednesday, his family announced in a statement.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," reads the statement, which was posted to Caan's official Twitter account Wednesday afternoon. "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 best known for playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, for which he earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. In 1974, he reprised the role in The Godfather Part II, making a cameo at the end of the film.

Throughout his decades-long career, the actor appeared in countless films, including Brian's Song, The Gambler, Misery, and Dick Tracy. A younger generation of viewers will remember him as Buddy's (Will Ferrell) biological father in 2003 holiday film Elf.

The same year, Caan made his television starring debut in Las Vegas, an NBC dramedy about the employees at a fictional casino on the Las Vegas strip. Caan played Ed Deline, a former CIA officer who is promoted to president of casino operations. The actor appeared in four seasons of Las Vegas before departing in 2007, one year before the series was canceled.

Though Las Vegas was his biggest television role, Caan also appeared in episodes of The Simpsons and Family Guy (in which he voiced himself), and a 2012 episode of Hawaii Five-0. More recently, he starred opposite Maggie Lawson in ABC's short-lived sitcom Back in the Game and appeared in five episodes of Starz drama Magic City.

Caan's final role before his death came in 2021 romantic comedy Queen Bees. He also starred in upcoming film Fast Charlie, which is expected to debut in 2023.

RIP James Caan. You will be missed.

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.