James Caan was born on March 26, 1940 (Aries) in The Bronx, New York City. His parents, Arthur and Sophie Caan, were Jewish immigrants from Germany. Mr. Caan grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, New York and was educated in New York City where he graduated early, at the age of 16. He went on to college at Michigan State University. While studying economics, he also played football at MSU. He transferred to Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, but did not graduate.

 

While studying at Hofstra University, he became intrigued by acting and was interviewed for, accepted to, and graduated from New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. He won a scholarship to study under acting coach Wynn Handman and began to appear in several off-Broadway productions, including "I Roam" and "Mandingo".

 

Always athletic, Mr. Caan is a practicing martial artist. He has trained with Takayuki Kubota for nearly thirty years, earning various ranks. He is a Master (Rank=6 Dan) of Gosoku Ryu Karate and was granted the title of Soke Dai by the International Karate Association. He trained the Culver City Police Department in martial arts use. Also, for several years, he was a regular on the rodeo circuit, where he was nicknamed "The Jewish Cowboy".

 

He made his screen debut as a sailor in Irma la Douce (1963) and began to impress audiences with his work in Red Line 7000 (1965) and the western El Dorado (1966) alongside John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. Work continued for him in Journey to Shiloh(1968) and The Rain People (1969). He then moved audiences to tears (to this day) with his performance as cancer-stricken Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo in the highly rated made-for-TV film Brian's Song (1971).

 

Following these strong performances, Francis Ford Coppola then cast him as hot-tempered gangster Santino "Sonny" Corleone in the Mafia epic The Godfather (1972). The film was hugely successful and Mr. Caan earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination. His portrayal of Sonny is still loved and often talked about by Godfather and James Caan fans. He reprised the role for several flashback scenes in the sequel The Godfather: Part II (1974).

 

The Film and TV page has a full list of Mr. Caan's illustrious career.

 

His many achievements are listed in the Awards and Nominations below.

 

Awards and Nominations

 

Academy Awards, USA

 

1973 - Nominated for an Oscar in the category Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Godfather (1972)

 

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA

 

1992 - Nominated for a Saturn Award in the category Best Actor for Misery (1990)

 

1976 - Won a Golden Scroll in the category Best Actor for Rollerball (1975)

 

Daytime Emmy Awards

 

2004 - Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Performer in a Children/Youth/Family Special for The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie (2003) (TM)

 

DVD Exclusive Awards

 

2001 - Nominated for a Video Premiere Award in the category Best Supporting Actor for Luckytown (2000)

 

Emmy Awards

 

1972 - Nominated for an Emmy in the category Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Brian's Song (1971) (TM)

 

Florida Film Festival

 

2003 - Won Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Golden Boot Awards

 

2005 - Won Golden Boot Award

 

Golden Globes, USA

 

1976 - Nominated for a Golden Globe in the category Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy for Funny Lady (1975)

 

1976 - Nominated for a Golden Globe in the category Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture for The Godfather (1972)

 

1975 - Nominated for a Golden Globe in the category Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama for The Gambler (1974)

 

1966 - Nominated for a Golden Globe in the category Most Promising Newcomer - Male for The Glory Guys (1965)

 

Hollywood Film Festival

 

1999 - Won a Hollywood Film Award in the category Outstanding Achievement in Acting Laurel Awards

 

1968 - Nominated for a Golden Laurel in the category Male New Face

 

TV Land Awards

 

2006 - Won a TV Land Award in the category Blockbuster Movie of the Week for Brian's Song (1971) (TM)

shared with Billy Dee Williams

 

Read more: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/james_caan/awards.html#ixzz30C0Zn1hm