A former mobster claimed The Godfather star James Caan, who died Thursday, was linked to the mafia and had to ask a New York crime boss for permission to star in the cult film.
Megan Kelly was interviewing former Gambino family underboss-turned-FBI whistleblower Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano when she broke the breaking news of Caan’s death yesterday.
Gravano then claimed Caan, 82, was connected to the mob and was present when the actor allegedly asked Colombo family boss Joe Colombo for permission to star as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather.
“He was in the mob,” Gravano said to a confused Kelly. “James Caan was there – involved with the mafia.”
“I was there when he came down and asked permission to be in this film. I was there with Carmine Persico,” Gravano said, referring to another Colombo family boss allegedly present. “Joe Colombo gave him the part. He was connected to the Colombo family.’
Despite Kelly’s skepticism, Gravano doubled down, saying that while Caan is not a member of the mafia – having been born a Jew to German immigrants – he is an associate of the Colombo family.
Former Gambino family underboss-turned-FBI whistleblower Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano (left) has claimed the late James Caan (right) has mafia ties
Caan (second from right) is best known for his outstanding role as Sonny Corleone in the 1972 crime drama The Godfather, which earned him an Oscar nomination. He is pictured with co-stars (LR) Al Pacino, Marlon Brando and John Cazale
Gravano said he was in the room with the Colombo family heads when Caan allegedly asked boss Joe Colombo (pictured) for permission to star in the gangster film
Stunned by his comments, Kelly asked Gravano to elaborate on his claims against the late actor.
“It’s a Mafia accomplice,” Gravano said of Caan’s alleged connections. ‘In other words, he’s now on record with the mafia as a partner.
“He’s not a made member. He’s not one of us, but he’s an employee of the Colombos. As well as [Frank] Sinatra was,’ he added, referring to the famous singer who often flaunted his connections to the mafia.
Startled by the claims, Kelly apologized to her viewers as she was unable to immediately verify his ex-gangster’s claims.
“I feel uncomfortable if none of this is true and denigrating him on the day he died,” she said, leading the conversation away from Caan.
Gravano was a high-level mobster who arranged and carried out assassinations for John Gotti in the 1980s before secretly collaborating with the FBI in 1991 and helping take down 39 mobsters – including Gotti, the head of the Gambino crime family.
In exchange for his work as a government informant, Gravano was sentenced to five years in prison in 1994, but was released a year later for time previously served.
During his criminal career, he admitted to killing 19 people – including his best friend.
A Caan representative did not immediately respond to ‘s request for comment.
Gravano claimed Caan (above) needed permission from the Colombo family to star in The Godfather, leading to the actor’s success
Caan returned to a full-fledged star opposite Kathy Bates in 1990’s Misery. The two are pictured together in the film
He revealed the reason there will never be a sequel to Elf is that Will Ferrell, 53, and director Jon Favreau, 53, don’t get along; from left: Amy Sedaris, Caan and Ferrell
Caan is pictured with his wife Linda Stokes and sons James and Jacob at the Young Hollywood Awards in April 2007
Caan was spotted using a walker at a restaurant with friends in California last year after spending time in a wheelchair while recovering from back surgery in 2020
The son of a German-Jewish butcher, Caan grew up in New York City and played football at Michigan State University before discovering a passion for acting.
He became a familiar face at the Playboy Mansion in the 1970s and 1980s after rising to stardom and was known to love to party.
Despite drug problems, temper tantrums and minor misunderstandings with the law, he managed a stunning six-decade career.
Caan had been a Francis Ford Coppola favorite since the 1960s, when Coppola cast him for the lead in Rain People.
He was primed for a starring role in The Godfather as Sonny, Enforcer #1 and eldest son of mob boss Vito Corleone. A violent and ruthless man who committed many murders, Sonny Corleone met his own end in one of the most harrowing scenes in film history.
For decades afterward, he once said, strangers would come across him on the street and jokingly warn him to stay off toll roads.
Despite Coppola’s fears of a flop, the 1972 release was an enormous critical and commercial success, earning Supporting Actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Robert Duvall and Al Pacino.
Tributes for the star – who has starred in Misery, Elf and Mickey Blue Eyes, as well as more than 100 other films – have been awash, led by fellow godfather Al Pacino, who called the late actor his “fictional brother and my lifelong friend.”
Caan has been married four times and is survived by his five children – Tara, 57; Scott, 45; Alexander James, 31; James Arthur, 26; and Jacob Nicholas Caan, 23.
Caan’s family said in a post on his Twitter on Thursday: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Jimmy on the evening of July 6th.
“The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time.” They signed off with “end of tweet,” as the actor would.
His manager Matt DelPiano added, “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 popular.
“Our relationship has always been friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him over the years.’
Caan’s death comes just over a month after fellow mobster Ray Liotta died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic.
He died in bed at the Casas del XVI in the Zona Colonial in May, just weeks after filming began on a new project called Dangerous Waters.