James Caan
Caan in 2006, photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: James Edmund Caan
Date of Birth: March 26, 1940
Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: July 6, 2022
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
James Caan was an American actor. Among his roles were The Godfather, El Dorado, Countdown, Brian’s Song, Cinderella Liberty, The Gambler, Rollerball, A Bridge Too Far, Thief, Gardens of Stone, Dick Tracy, Misery, Eraser, This Is My Father, Mickey Blue Eyes, The Yards, Elf, Dogville, Queen Bees, and That’s My Boy.
His parents, Sophie (Falkenstein) and Arthur Caan, were German Jewish immigrants. His mother moved to the U.S. in 1934.
James had five children: a daughter with his former wife, Dee Jay Mathis; a son, actor Scott Caan, with his former wife, model Sheila Ryan; a son with his former wife Ingrid Hajek; and two children with his former wife Linda Stokes.
James’s paternal grandfather was Alex Caan (the son of Edmo Caan and Sophia Seligman/Seligmann). Alex was born in Giesenkirchen, Mönchengladbach, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
James’s paternal grandmother was named Bertha Mayer. Bertha was born in Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
James’s maternal grandfather was named Moses Falkenstein.
James’s maternal grandmother was named Regina Niedermann/Neiderman/Niederman (the daughter of Simon Niedermann/Neiderman/Niederman and Rose).
Sources: http://www.cigaraficionado.com
Genealogy of James Caan – https://www.geni.com
James Caan on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Literally watching Misery the other day, never have I ever seen a character go through so much pain, man. He was great in that movie, he deserved an Oscar. He was also great as the dad in Elf too. Was such a great actor. May he Rest In Peace.
https://www.geni.com/people/James-Caan/6000000009988539645
excuse me but that pic..
Like him.
Interesting a Jewish guy playing an Italian in The Godfather.
what about Meryl Streep in “The Bridges of Madison County”, ethnic background of actors doesnt often reflect the part they’re playing
Got a point or clue?
Marlon Brando was English, Irish, German, Dutch, French Huguenot, Welsh, Scottish.
He played the Godfather in that movie…
Uh, fyi, James Caan played Sonny in the Godfather. Sadie is correct.