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Hollywood Stars and filmmakers including Al Pacino , Francis Ford Coppola and Robert De Niro have paid tribute to the late Godfather actor James Caan , who died on Wednesday aged 82.

Caan played Sonny Corleone in Coppola's classic 1972 gangster movie.

Pacino, who starred as Michael Corleone , described him as a " great actor" and a " Dear Friend ".

Ford Coppola said Caan's work " will never be forgotten".

In a statement provided to the PA news agency, The Director said: " Jimmy was someone who stretched through My Life longer and closer than any motion picture figure I've ever known. "

" From those earlier times Working Together on [1969 film] The Rain People and throughout all The Milestones of My Life , his films and the many great roles he played will never be forgotten. "

He added: " He will always Be My old friend from {New York neighbourhood] Sunnyside, my collaborator And One of the funniest people I've ever known. "

Caan, who born in The Bronx , appeared alongside Pacino, Marlon Brando , Diane Keaton and Robert De Niro in the memorable mobster movie.

Speaking of his " fictional brother and lifelong friend" Pacino said: " It's hard To Believe that he won't be in The World any more because he was so alive and daring.

" A great actor, a brilliant director and my Dear Friend , " he added. " I'm gonna miss him. "

De Niro added he was " very, very sad to hear about Jimmy 's passing".

Caan's role as the hot tempered Sonny saw him receive his only Academy Award nomination for best Supporting Actor .

He reprised The Role for a flashback scene in The Godfather Part II, with The Director 's son Roman Coppola playing Sonny as a boy in the 1920s scenes.

Talia Shire , who played Caan's on-screen sister Connie Corleone told PA he was " a Good Man , a kind Man , a Family Man , and a wildly gifted Man - whose great talent will always be loved and remembered. "

" My prayers are with His Family that he treasured so dearly, " she added.

Joe Mantegna , who appeared in the third film in The Godfather series, paid his respects over Twitter. " One of the Great Gifts in being part of The Godfather family was becoming friends with James Caan . Rest In Peace Jimmy , "

Filmmaker Michael Mann , who directed Caan in the 1981 heist thriller Thief, described Caan's death as a " terrible and tragic loss".

" Jimmy was not just a great actor with total commitment and a venturesome spirit, but he had a vitality in The Core of his being that drove everything from his art and friendship to athletics and very Good Times , " He Said in a statement.

Fellow filmmaker Rob Reiner , who also directed the late star in the 1990 Psychological Thriller Misery, said he " loved working with" him.

Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams , who was Caan's Brian's Song co-star, shared a picture on Social Media of the two of them together.

A leading Man in Hollywood throughout the 1970s whose career spanned decades; Caan nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy and four Golden Globes.

His Family thanked fans on Thursday for an " outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences".

The New Yorker , known for his partying lifestyle, was married four times and had five children.

Among the early tributes to him, fellow actor that it had been " wonderful to know him and call him a pal".

Source of news: bbc.com