8 Jul – Oscar-nominated actor James Caan has passed away. The news was shared by his manager Matt DelPiano on 7 July, who said that the veteran actor passed away on 6 July. No cause of death was given. "Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and beloved," the manager said. "Our relationship was always friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years." Caan's family posted the sad news on his Twitter on July 7. "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time," the tweet reads.
Caan was best known for his role as the curly-haired and hot-headed Sonny Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" (1972) - who is the eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone (portrayed brilliantly by Marlon Brando). As the number one enforcer for his father, Sonny met a violent end at a toll plaza in one of the most violent and jarring scenes in cinema history back in the 1970s. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1973 for the role, along with Al Pacino and Robert Duvall. He was 82.