What was James Caan's Net Worth and Salary?
James Caan, an iconic American actor, had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death in July 2022. His film debut was in 1963's "Irma la Douce," and he gained critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for his role in the 1971 TV movie "Brian's Song." However, his portrayal of Sonny Corleone in the 1972 classic "The Godfather" solidified his status in Hollywood, earning him an Oscar nomination. With over 130 acting credits, some of his notable works include "The Gambler" (1974), "Misery" (1990), and the holiday favorite "Elf" (2003). James also starred in NBC's "Las Vegas" from 2003 to 2007. James Caan passed away on July 6, 2022, at the age of 82.
Early Life
James Edmund Caan was born on March 26, 1940, in the Bronx, New York, to German-Jewish immigrants Sophie and Arthur. He grew up in Queens with siblings Ronnie and Barbara. Caan attended Michigan State University, studying economics and playing football before transferring to Hofstra University in New York, where he discovered his passion for acting. He applied to and was accepted by the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, spending five years honing his craft under Sanford Meisner and other masters.
Career
Caan's career kicked off in 1961 with a role in the Broadway premiere of "Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole." He made his TV debut in "Naked City" and film debut with "Irma la Douce" in 1963. His performance in "The Glory Guys" (1965) earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer. Throughout the 1960s, he guest-starred on shows like "Route 66," "The Untouchables," and "Get Smart," and appeared in films such as "El Dorado" (1967) and "Journey to Shiloh" (1968). Caan co-starred in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Rain People" (1969) and won four Emmys and a Peabody Award for his lead role in "Brian's Song" (1971).
In 1971, Caan was cast as Sonny Corleone in Coppola's "The Godfather," earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His subsequent films include "The Gambler" (1974), "Funny Lady" (1975), and "A Bridge Too Far" (1977). He made his directorial debut with "Hide in Plain Sight" (1980). After a brief hiatus following his sister's death, Caan returned to acting in "Gardens of Stone" (1987) and continued with roles in "Misery" (1990), "Honeymoon in Vegas" (1992), and "Elf" (2003). He starred in NBC's "Las Vegas" from 2003 to 2007 and appeared in films like "New York, I Love You" (2008) and "Queen Bees" (2021). He also lent his voice to "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (2009) and its 2013 sequel.
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Personal Life
Caan was married four times, with each marriage ending in divorce. His first marriage was to Dee Jay Mathis (1961-1966) with whom he had a daughter, Tara. His second marriage was to Sheila Marie Ryan (1976-1977), resulting in the birth of their son, Scott, who followed in his father's footsteps in the film industry. James married Ingrid Hajek in 1990, and they divorced in 1994 with a son, Alexander. His final marriage was to Linda Stokes (1995-2017), and they had two sons, James and Jacob.
Caan struggled with cocaine addiction after his sister's death and attended rehab in 1994. Also, he was an accomplished martial artist with a 6th-degree black belt. Caan passed away from a heart attack caused by coronary artery disease at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Annual Royalty Income
During his 2016 divorce with Linda Stokes, court documents revealed that James earned over $1 million annually from residuals. In 2015 alone, he garnered $140,000 in residuals from "Elf." They eventually settled the divorce in 2017. Caan later commented on their relationship, praising Linda for enriching his life with their sons.
Awards and Honors
James Caan received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. He was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his performance in "The Godfather." He also received Golden Globe nominations for "The Glory Guys," "The Gambler," and "Funny Lady." His performance in "Brian's Song" earned him an Emmy nomination and he won the Golden Scroll award for "Rollerball" in 1976. Caan's other accolades include a Hollywood Film Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting, a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2003 Florida Film Festival, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.
Real Estate
In 2003, James purchased a 5,146-square-foot home in Beverly Hills for $2.25 million. He later sold it to "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin for $3.8 million in 2015. Interestingly, James' son Scott Caan appeared in 19 episodes of "Entourage" between 2009 and 2011.
