Santino "Sonny" Corleone in "The Godfather" (1972) Caan intimidated and titillated moviegoers as Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather." It was a controversial film at the time. CBS Photo Archive/Getty ...

The Godfather paved the way for James Caan's career, and each of his varied roles stood in the shadow of Sonny Corleone. More than any archetype, Caan was quickly defined by his tough guy persona ...

He was primed for a featured role in “The Godfather” as Sonny, the No. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone.

James Caan is likely best known for his celebrated portrayal of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. It was one of Caan’s star-making performances and earned him his first and only Oscar nomination.

James Caan, a prolific Academy Award-nominated actor, died on July 6, 2022. He humanized gangsters, lent spoofs gravity, and shined in tearjerkers throughout his career.

Caan, who died Thursday at 82, made movie magic as Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather” and (briefly) “The Godfather Part II,” but there was a lot more to the actor than his signature role.

Caan, who died Thursday at 82, made movie magic as Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather” and (briefly) “The Godfather Part II,” but there was a lot more to the actor than his signature role.

Marlon Brando wanted to play James Caan’s dad in ‘Superman’ Caan won his sole Oscar nomination as the fiery Sonny Corleone in the 1972 classic The Godfather.

Caan, who played Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather," recalled how he loosened up Lenny Montana. Director Francis Ford Coppola was angry at Montana (Luca Brasi), who kept messing up his lines.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows, from left, James Caan as Sonny Corleone, Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, Al Pacino as Michael Corleone and John Cazale as Fredo Corleone from ...

James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather” and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic ...