James Caan Trivia

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Studied Economics in Michigan State University. (imdb.com)

Has a son named Alexander James Caan (b. April 10th 1991) with Ingrid Hajek. (imdb.com)

Some sources give his birth year as 1939. (imdb.com)

Tested for the role of Ted Henderson in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969). (imdb.com)

Has a daughter named Tara Caan with Dee Jay Mathis. (imdb.com)

Sons with Linda Stokes: James Arthur Caan (b. 6 November 1995) and Jacob Nicholas Caan (b. September 24th 1998). (imdb.com)

Son of Arthur & Sophie Caan. His father was a kosher butcher. (imdb.com)

Two generations of his family and the Coppola family have worked together. He worked with Francis Ford Coppola most memorably in the first two Godfather films (The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974)) and in Gardens of Stone (1987). His son, Scott Caan, appeared in Sonny (2002), which was directed by Nicolas Cage and featured Cage and his brother, Marc Coppola. Sonny was also the name of Caan's "Godfather" character. (imdb.com)

According to the British documentary The Godfather and the Mob (2006) (TV), Caan was regularly seen with Gambino family underboss Carmine Persico (aka "Junior") during the filming of The Godfather (1972). As Persico was under surveillance by the FBI at the time, Caan came under almost equal scrutiny. (imdb.com)

His film contracts during his rodeo days had written in them that he could not compete in rodeos during filming. This was for fear he would injure or kill himself. (imdb.com)

Was originally tested for the role of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972) (director Francis Ford Coppola had worked with him and Robert Duvall in The Rain People (1969) and wanted them in the movie), but then was slated to play Michael Corleone after Paramount's initial choices (which included Warren Beatty, Robert Redford and Ryan O'Neal) did not pan out. When Al Pacino came on board, Caan was switched back to Sonny. (imdb.com)

Has a black belt in karate. (imdb.com)

Appears in Misery (1990), which was directed by Rob Reiner. His son, Scott Caan, appeared in Ocean's Eleven (2001) and Ocean's Twelve (2004), opposite Reiner's father, Carl Reiner. (imdb.com)

After being turned down by Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino, Julia Phillips inquired of Caan's agent if he would be interested in taking the lead role of Roy Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Caan's agent responded that he would read the script for a guarantee of $1 million plus 10% of the gross if he accepted the role. Phillips went with the original choice, Richard Dreyfuss. (imdb.com)

Spent 9 years on the pro rodeo circuit. (imdb.com)

Studied in The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York. (imdb.com)

Was a drama major at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York. (imdb.com)

In the Godfather trilogy, Andy Garcia plays the son of Caan's character, Sonny Corleone. In Ocean's Eleven (2001) and Ocean's Twelve (2004), Caan's son, Scott Caan, works with Garcia. (imdb.com)

Father of actor Scott Caan. (imdb.com)

States that Thief (1981) is one of his favorite films. (imdb.com)

Born at 10:31pm-EST. (imdb.com)

One brother, Ronnie Caan, and one sister, Barbara (deceased c. 1981--leukemia). (imdb.com)

Studied in Rhodes High School in New York. (imdb.com)

In his youth, his nicknames were "Shoulders" and "Killer Caan".

During the making of Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), he nicknamed Hugh Grant "Whippy" after the Whippet, an English breed of dog that shivers a lot.

While on sabbatical from acting he coached a Little League baseball team, there was one incident where his team`s weakest player hit a home run that won a game. This incident is claimed by Caan as one of the greatest moments of his life.

Grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, New York City.

Was considered by George Lucas for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars (1977).

Briefly lived at the Playboy Mansion in the 1970s.

Turned down plum roles in MASH (1970) & Apocalypse Now (1979).

In the 1990s, he kicked a cocaine habit of some 20 years.

Was offered the role of McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo`s Nest (1975).

Played football for Michigan State University.