James Caan

James Caan (1940 - )

Film Deaths

• Lady in a Cage (1964) [Randall Simpson O'Connell]: Run over by a car when he runs into the street after being blinded by Olivia de Havilland. (Thanks to Bill, Ben, and Barnaba)

• Games (1967) [Paul Montgomery]: Poisoned by Simone Signoret when he drinks a toast with her to celebrate the success of their plan.

• The Rain People (1969) [Jimmy 'Killer' Kilgannon]: Shot to death by Marya Zimmet while James is fighting Robert Duvall. (It's been some time since I've seen this movie, so my memory is vague.)

• Brian's Song (1971) [Brian Piccolo]: Dies of cancer. (Thanks to Cynthia)

• The Godfather (1972) [Sonny Corleone]: Machine-gunned by rival gangsters at a tollbooth. (See also James' death in the video game version.) (Thanks to Danielle, Dan and Cynthia)

• Kiss Me Goodbye (1982) [Jolly Villano]: Falls to his death down a staircase at a party; he appears as a ghost throughout the movie, and his death is shown in a flashback. (Thanks to Belle and Sto)

• Dick Tracy (1990) [Spud Spaldoni]: Killed, along with his men, in an explosion by a car bomb planted by Al Pacino's men, after James leaves the meeting of all the gangsters. (Thanks to Anton)

• Flesh and Bone (1993) [Roy Sweeney]: Shot in the chest by his son (Dennis Quaid) at the head of the staircase in the abandoned farmhouse; he then falls down the stairs.

• Bulletproof (1996) [Frank Colton]: Shot in the head by Adam Sandler during James' fight with Damon Wayans. (Thanks to Ben)

• Eraser (1996) [US Marshal Robert Deguerin]: Killed in an explosion on being locked inside a limousine on a level crossing, along with Gerry Becker and Andy Romano, by Robert Pastorelli to be hit by a speeding freight train, as Arnold Schwarzenegger looks on. (Thanks to Andrew)

• North Star (Tashunga) (1996) [Sean McLennon]: Stabbed in the back by Christopher Lambert just as James is about to stab Catherine McCormack. (Thanks to ND)

• City of Ghosts (2002) [Marvin]: Shot during a shoot-out; he dies shortly afterwards while talking to his son (Matt Dillon), his body is later seen when placed on a makeshift funeral pyre which is then set adrift into the ocean.(Thanks to ND)

• Santa's Slay (2005) [Darren Mason]: Choked to death when Bill Goldberg shoves a turkey leg in his mouth, then knocks him face-forward onto the table (after pinning James' hands to the table with silverware). (Played for comic effect.)

• Middle Men (2009) [Jerry Haggerty] Shot to death by Rade Serbedzija.

• Blood Ties (2013) [Leon]: Dies of lung cancer (off-screen); we learn of his death when his body is shown in bed when his son (Clive Owen) comes to see him while his other son (Billy Crudup) and daughter (Lili Taylor) are also in the room.
• The Good Neighbor (2016) [Harold Grainey]: Commits suicide by shooting himself in the head. 

TV Deaths

• Combat!: Anatomy of a Patrol (1963) [Sergeant Beckman]: Killed during a battle. (Thanks to Tom)
• Wagon Train: The Echo Pass Story (1965) [Paul]: After being knocked unconsious from behind by Robert Fuller as James was holding a gun on Jack Lord and Diane Brewster James is pushed from the ledge on the edge of a cliff by Jack.

• The Simpsons: All's Fair in Oven War (2004; animated) [James Caan]: Machine-gunned by Cletus (voiced by Hank Azaria) and Cletus' friends at a tollbooth, in a parody of James' death scene from The Godfather. (He opens his eyes and delivers the episode's closing line afterwards, so it's debatable whether this counts, but I'll list it just in case.) (Thanks to Tommy)

• Magic City: The Sins of the Father (2013) [Sy Berman] Dies via car bomb when he starts his cars ignition.

Video Game Deaths

• The Godfather: The Game (2006) [Sonny Corleone]: Machine-gunned by rival gangsters at a tollbooth. His body is then discovered by Andrew Pifko. (See also James' death in the film version.)

Notable Connections

• Ex-Mr. Sheila Ryan
• Father of Scott Caan

Gallery

James Caan's death in Eraser

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