James Caan, Oscar-Nominated Actor From The Godfather, Elf, And More, Passes Away

James Caan--the Oscar-nominated actor who appeared in The Godfather, Misery, Elf, Brian's Song, and many more film and TV roles-- has died. He was 82.

Caan died on Wednesday night, his family confirmed in a statement. "The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time," a tweet announcing the news said.

Caan landed one of his first major roles in the early '70s on the TV movie Brian's Song, in which he played Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo alongside Billy Dee Williams. Caan earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the famous NFL athlete who suffered from cancer.

Cann would go on to play Sonny Corleone in the iconic mob movie The Godfather from director Francis Ford Coppola. Caan earned an Oscar nomination for the movie. His character's death scene in a hail of gunfire was among the film's most memorable sequences.

The actor later starred in the Stephen King movie Misery with Kathy Bates and, later, he had a leading role in the beloved holiday comedy Elf as the grumpy-but-goodhearted father of Will Ferrell's character. At the time of his death, Caan was announced for the cast of multiple upcoming movies, including Fast Charlie, Redemption, and Acre Beyond the Rye.