James Caan - Actor Profile

James Caan

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
8.9 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 26, 1940
Birth Place: The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

About James Caan

James Edmund Caan (March 26, 1940 – July 6, 2022) was an American actor who was nominated for several awards, including four Golden Globes, an Emmy, and an Oscar. Caan was awarded a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978. After early roles in Howard Hawks's El Dorado (1966), Robert Altman's Countdown (1967) and Francis Ford Coppola's The Rain People (1969), he came to prominence for playing his signature role of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. He reprised the role of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974) with a cameo appearance at the end. Caan had significant roles in films such as Brian's Song (1971), Cinderella Liberty (1973), The Gambler (1974), Rollerball (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), and Alan J. Pakula's Comes a Horseman (1978). He had sporadically worked in film since the 1980s, with his notable performances including roles in Thief (1981), Gardens of Stone (1987), Misery (1990), Dick Tracy (1990), Bottle Rocket (1996), The Yards (2000), Dogville (2003), and Elf (2003).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Caan reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of James Caan's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 78% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Caan remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Caan Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Caan's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Caan.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2023 Fast Charlie Stan Mullen Average Similar →
2023 King on Screen Self Hit Similar →
2020 JL Family Ranch: The Wedding Gift Tap Average Similar →
2014 Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire Self - Actor (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2014 Altman Self Hit Similar →
2013 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 Tim Lockwood (voice) Hit Similar →
2013 Seduced and Abandoned Self Average Similar →
2012 The Godfather Legacy Self Hit Similar →
2011 Detachment Mr. Charles Seaboldt Super Hit Similar →
2011 His Way Self Average Similar →
2009 Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side Self (voice) Hit Similar →
2009 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Tim Lockwood (voice) Hit Similar →
2009 Middle Men Jerry Haggerty Hit Similar →
2008 Get Smart The President Average Similar →
2007 Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project Self Hit Similar →
2007 Brando Self Hit Similar →
2006 The Godfather and the Mob Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2005 Gangland: Bullets over Hollywood - Hit Similar →
2004 Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels - Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie Mr. Harry Dewitt Hit Similar →
2003 Elf Walter Hit Similar →
2003 Dogville The Big Man Super Hit Similar →
2003 Misery Loves Company Self Hit Similar →
2000 The Way of the Gun Joe Sarno Average Similar →
2000 The Yards Frank Olchin Average Similar →
1996 Bottle Rocket Mr. Abe Henry Hit Similar →
1993 The Program Sam Winters Average Similar →
1992 The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 Sonny Corleone Super Hit Similar →
1992 Earth and the American Dream Reader (voice) Hit Similar →
1991 For the Boys Eddie Sparks Average Similar →
1990 Misery Paul Sheldon Super Hit Similar →
1990 The Godfather Family: A Look Inside Self / Sonny Corleone / Michael Corleone Super Hit Similar →
1987 Gardens of Stone Sgt. Clell Hazard Average Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1981 Bolero Jack Glenn / Jason Glenn Hit Similar →
1981 Thief Frank Hit Similar →
1981 The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959 Santino "Sonny" Corleone Super Hit Similar →
1977 A Bridge Too Far SSgt. Eddie Dohun Hit Similar →
1976 Silent Movie Self Hit Similar →
1975 Rollerball Jonathan E. Average Similar →
1974 The Godfather Part II Sonny Corleone (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1974 The Gambler Axel Hit Similar →
1973 Cinderella Liberty John Baggs Jr. Hit Similar →
1972 The Godfather Sonny Corleone Super Hit Similar →
1971 Brian's Song Brian Piccolo Hit Similar →
1969 The Rain People Jimmy Kilgannon Hit Similar →
1968 Filmmaker Self (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1966 El Dorado Mississippi Hit Similar →
1965 The Glory Guys Pvt. Anthony Dugan Hit Similar →
1963 Irma la Douce Soldier with Radio (uncredited) Hit Similar →

James Caan - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Caan?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Caan is "The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959" with a rating of 8.9/10.

How many movies has James Caan acted in?

James Caan has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Caan?

Other notable films include "The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980", "The Godfather", and "The Godfather Part II".