The 9 best James Caan performances of all time, from Sonny Corleone to Ed Deline

Keyaira Boone
·3 min read
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James Caan in a cream suit
James Caan.Michael Kovac/Getty

  • James Caan, a prolific Academy Award-nominated actor, died on July 6, 2022.

  • He humanized gangsters, lent spoofs gravity, and shined in tearjerkers throughout his career.

  • Insider ranked Caan's nine most impressive movie and TV performances.

9. Rupert of Rathskeller in "Get Smart" (1969)

James Caan in "Get Smart" 1969
Anyone who could pull off that dialogue and that mustache was obviously destined to be a legend.Photo Credit: CBS

Caan played a dashing criminal involved in a kidnapping plot on the popular series, which aired on NBC in 1969.

8. Jolly in "Kiss Me Goodbye" (1982)

James Caan Kiss Me Goodbye
Jolly's ghost chases the couple all the way to the altar.Photo Credit: 20th Century Studios via Starz

Caan plays a deceased performer desperate to stop his widow (Sally Fields) from remarrying her new beau (Jeff Bridges). He really sold the desperation in his performance.

7. Frank Vitale in "Mickey Blue Eyes" (1999)

James Caan Mickey Blue Eyes
Caan lent a new level of comedy to "Mickey Blue Eyes."Photo Credit: Getty Images

We can't say much for the movie overall, but Caan's performance was a shining light that kept us engaged and entertained.

6. Tommy Korman in "Honeymoon in Vegas" (1992)

James Caan Tommy Korman in “Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992)
He uses his skills and charm to lure Sarah Jessica Parker.Photo Credit: © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Playing Tommy Korman, a gambler trying to seduce one-half of a young couple, Caan brought charm, ease, and even a little sadness to the role. It is easy to see how he makes an impact when he has Sarah Jessica Parker secluded.

5. Billy Rose in "Funny Lady" (1975)

James Caan in "Funny Lady"
He managed to make a major impact even with Barbra Streisand in the titular role.Photo Credit: TCM

Caan masterfully played Billy Rose in this stylized biopic about comedian Fanny Brice.

4. Ed Deline in "Las Vegas" (2003)

James Caan Las Vegas
Caan was one of the main characters in "Las Vegas."Photo Credit: NBC / Contributor/ NBCUniversal

Caan played a Las Vegas veteran for four seasons on the show, from 2003 to 2007. He successfully provided a wise presence that made his role as a mentor to Josh Duhamel believable.

3. Brian Piccolo in "Brian's Song" (1971)

James Caan
Caan starred alongside Billy Dee Williams in the film.Photo Credit: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Caan helped create the ultimate sports tearjerker with his heartwarming performance as the real-life Chicago Bears player who was diagnosed with terminal cancer after entering the National Football League.

2. Santino "Sonny" Corleone in "The Godfather: Part II" (1974)

THE GODFATHER PART II James Caan
"The Godfather Part II" offered backstory on the relationship between Sonny and his brother-in-law through his appearance.Photo Credit: Paramount

Caan shows up towards the end of the celebrated sequel in one of its most memorable scenes.  His presence looms over the tail end of the story.

1. Santino "Sonny" Corleone in "The Godfather" (1972)

Caan in character pointing and wearing a a white tank top and suspenders.
Caan intimidated and titillated moviegoers as Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather." It was a controversial film at the time.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

In his most iconic role, Caan cemented himself in film history early on in his career. His performance as the quintessential second-generation hothead became a template for future crime movies.

Read the original article on Insider

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