James Caan Biography

Caan decided to pursue a career in acting while attending college and, in 1960, was accepted into the Neighbourhood Playhouse.

After making his debut off-Broadway, in 'I Roam', he landed in the Broadway production of 'Mandingo', but left after just four performances because of artistic difficulties with star, Franchot Tone.

Caan then worked in television, where he became a busy character actor. He made his film debut in an unbilled performance in 1963's 'Irma La Douce', followed by a larger role in 'Lady in a Cage' the following year.

The 1965 auto-racing drama 'Red Line 7000' was his first starring role, followed by Western 'El Dorado', which cast him opposite John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. In 1968, Caan starred in 'Countdown', and in 1969, he appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Rain People'.

Caan rose to fame thanks to a poignant performance in the 1970 TV movie, 'Brian's Song'. His turn as Sonny Corleone, in Coppola's 1972 masterpiece, 'The Godfather' solidified his stardom and earned him an Academy Award nomination.

However, his subsequent films generally failed to live up to expectations, although he earned a Golden Globe nomination for his part in 1974's 'The Gambler'. Caan also briefly appeared in 1974's 'The Godfather Part 2'.

Apart from small cameo appearances, he was absent from screens for a time. He also unwisely rejected roles in hits such as 'Superman'.

His directorial debut in 1980's 'Hide in Plain Sight' fared no better, and Caan disappeared until 1987, when he enjoyed success in 'Gardens of Stone', 'Alien Nation', and 'Misery'.

In the last few years Caan has enjoyed a succession of smart, edgy cameo roles in independent movies such as 'Bottle Rocket'.