The Bronx, Bronx County
New York, United States
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
California, United States
James Caan's Biography
Introduction
James was married 4 times: 1st, to Dee Jay Mathis (1961 - 1966), 1 daughter, Tara; 2nd, to Sheila Marie Ryan, divorced in less than a year, one son, actor Scott Caan; 3rd, Ingrid Hajek, (1990 - 1994) 1 son; 4th, Linda Stokes (1995 - 2017), 2 sons. In total, James had five children by 4 wives.
Famous for numerous roles on television in the 1960s from the "Naked City" to "Dr. Kildare", James called himself "the only New York Jewish cowboy". In the 1970s, he starred as Brian Piccolo in the TV movie "Brian's Song". Then came the role as Sonny Corleone in Francis Coppola's "The Godfather", which established him as a leading movie star. This role was so closely identified with the actor James, that he has been seen as (and honored as) an Italian American. He was of German/Jewish heritage. Two of his co-stars during these years were Donal Donnelly and Shirley Knight.
James continued acting through the 2010s in film and on television, starring in the tv series "Las Vegas" playing the character "Big Ed" Deline. Later, he said: "I just fell in love with acting." His long career attested to that fact. His obituary in The New York Post shares many more details about his life: James Edmund Caan: Obituary
Name & aliases
Last residence
Birth details
Ethnicity & Family History
Nationality & Locations
Education
Religion
Baptism date & location
Professions
Personal Life
Military Service
Death details
Gravesite & burial
Obituary
Average Age & Life Expectancy
Memories: Stories & Photos
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James once said "I just fell in love with acting". Well James, we all fell in love with you! James was married four times and had five children.
Join us in honoring and remembering James Edmund Caan (1940-2022) RIP
Family Tree & Friends
James's Family Tree
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Parents:
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Relationships
Dee Jay Mattis
&James Edmund Caan

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Sheila Marie Caan
&James Edmund Caan

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Ingrid Heather Hajek
&James Edmund Caan

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Linda Susan Caan
&James Edmund Caan

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Friends
Friends can be as close as family. Add James' family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
1940 - 2022 World Events
Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during James' lifetime.
In 1940, in the year that James Edmund Caan was born, on September 16th, the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, was enacted - the first peacetime draft in U.S. history. Men between 21 and 36 were required to register with their draft boards. When World War II began, men between 18 and 45 were subject to service and men up to 65 were required to register.
In 1964, by the time he was 24 years old, on February 9th, the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. 73 million people watched - although the Beatles couldn't be heard because of the loud screaming of the female teenage audience.
In 1970, when he was 30 years old, on May 1st, US troops invaded Cambodia, expanding the Vietnam War. The invasion of Cambodia was a Nixon policy, although it was argued against by both his Secretary of State and his Secretary of Defense.
In 1986, when he was 46 years old, on September 8th, the Oprah Winfrey Show went into national syndication. A popular talk show, it was number 1 in the ratings since its debut. The last show aired on May 25, 2011.
In 1990, James was 50 years old when on April 24th, the Hubble telescope was launched into space after long delays due to the Challenger explosion. An optical flaw was found within weeks of launch but was fixed within three years. The discoveries made possible by the Hubble have contributed to scientists' understanding of the universe.
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