The actor – whose most memorable role was Sonny Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece The Godfather – died on Wednesday night. His family said in a statement on Twitter: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of Jimmy’s passing on the evening of July 6th. ‘A legend’: Tributes have poured in for The Godfather star James Caan after he died aged 82. photo in 2007 “The family appreciates the outpouring of love and sincere condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.” Barbra Streisand – who starred in 1975’s Funny Lady as Fanny Brice, while Caan played her husband Billy Rose – spoke warmly of her co-star in a tweeted tribute. “So sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was so talented,” she wrote, while sharing a black-and-white photo of the two taken at the time of their shoot. Al Pacino, who played the lead role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather and its sequels, also shared a statement about Caan. “Jimmy was my fantastic brother and lifelong friend,” he said. “It’s hard to believe that he will no longer be in the world because he was so vibrant and bold. A great actor, a brilliant director and my dear friend. Will miss him”. Caan starred in director Francis Ford Coppola’s first film, 1969’s The Rain People, and they went on to make The Godfather in 1972. The director shared a tribute to the late actor with Deadline. “Jimmy was someone who lasted longer and closer to my life than any movie figure I’ve ever known,” Coppola said. “From those early days when I worked together on The Rain People, and through all the milestones of my life, his films and the many great roles he played will never be forgotten. He will always be my old friend from Sunnyside, my partner and one of the funniest people I have ever met.” Costars: Barbra Streisand — who starred in 1975’s Funny Lady as Fanny Brice, while Caan played her husband Billy Rose — spoke warmly of her co-star in a tweeted tribute Old friends: “Jimmy was someone who extended into my life longer and closer than any movie figure I’ve ever known,” said Caan’s Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola. (L–R) Coppola, Caan and Talia Shire appeared in February in LA Like brothers: The Godfather of Caan actor Al Pacino called the late actor “my imaginary brother and lifelong friend.” Caan, Marlon Brando, Pacino and John Casale appeared in The Godfather (1972) Robert De Niro also shared a brief statement regarding Caan’s death. De Niro had a major supporting role in The Godfather Part II (1974) as the young Vito Corleone, played in the original by Marlon Brando. Caan made a brief appearance in the final flashback scene of the sequel, but he and De Niro did not share any scenes together. “I’m very sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing,” De Niro said. Adam Sandler, who co-starred with Caan in 1996’s Bulletproof and That’s My Boy (2012), tweeted that he “loved” the veteran actor “so much.” “I always wanted to be like him. So glad I met him. I never stopped laughing when I was around this man. His films were the best of the best. We will all miss him terribly. I am thinking of his family and sending my love.’ Sweet: Adam Sandler, who co-starred with Caan in 1996’s Bulletproof and That’s My Boy (2012), tweeted that he “loved” the veteran actor “so much” and was “so happy to have met him”. Film legend: Rob Reiner, who directed Caan-starrer thriller Misery, wrote he ‘loved working’ with the late actor It’s a hit: Reiner and Caan’s adaptation of Misery, based on Stephen King’s book, was a critical and commercial success. Caan (center) appears with Reiner (R) and Michael McKean (L) in 2014 in New York Chilling: Caan starred in Misery (pictured) as a popular writer imprisoned by a homicidal nurse (Kathy Bates) who becomes obsessed with his romance series after she finds him in the aftermath of a car accident Rob Reiner, who directed Caan’s Misery, wrote: “So sorry to hear the news. I enjoyed working with him. And the only Jew I knew who could rope with the best of them. Love in the family.” Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred with Caan in the 1996 action thriller Eraser, called him an “icon” and a “legend.” He inspired everyone who has ever been in front of a camera. I was lucky to work with him and see his talent and fantastic sense of humor first hand. He was a great training partner in the gym and a true friend and I will miss him.’ Antonio Banderas tweeted: “A great actor has left us. Heartfelt condolences to his entire family and loved ones.” Maria Shriver wrote: “So sad for Jimmy Caan. He was a legend. He was always kind to me. Sending his family my love.’ Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn wrote: “Rest in peace James Caan. There are so many of his movies that I love, The Godfather movies of course being at the top, but here are a few more that I love (Thief in particular was a Gunn family classic — I had the poster on my wall in high school).’ The director included several posters for Caan’s most acclaimed films, including the Michael Mann thriller Thief (1981), The Gambler (1974), the buddy crime comedy Freebie And The Bean (1974) and Wes Anderson’s feature debut , Bottle Rocket (1996), in which Caan starred with Luke and Owen Wilson. Buddies: Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred with Caan in the 1996 action thriller Eraser, called him an “icon” and “legend,” as well as “a great training partner in the gym and a true friend.” Gone: Antonio Banderas tweeted: “A great actor has left us. Heartfelt condolences to his entire family and loved ones.” Paying tribute: Maria Shriver wrote: “So sad for Jimmy Caan. He was a legend. He was always kind to me. Sending his family my love.’ Impressive filmography: Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn singled out some of Caan’s favorite performances in Michael Mann’s Thief (1981), The Gambler and Freebie And The Bean (both 1974) and Wes Anderson’s Bottle Rocket (1996) ) Tribute: Forrest Gump actor Gary Sinise wrote he was ‘hurt’ for the late actor’s family and friends while praising him for his work with veterans Forrest Gump actor Gary Sinise wrote that he was “hurt” for the late actor’s family and friends. It’s great to know him and call him a friend. Jimmy has been so supportive of the Gary Sinise Foundation and my work with our veterans. He will be missed. Thank you my friend. Rest in Peace. God bless you.’ “Sad to hear of the passing of James Caan,” tweeted Mark Wahlberg, who appeared with him in the 2000 James Gray crime drama The Yards. “It was an honor and a pleasure to know and work with a true legend like Jimmy. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP.’ Josh Brolin said Caan was his “friend” and “spirit animal”. “Every conversation I had with you was full of piss and vinegar and spontaneous laughter. I love what you’ve brought to this world: we’re old school with it, but we have to push each other non-stop to keep the humility and relationships tight at school. To know that you are an era of people gone, whose sensibilities were many sorrows. Nice trip. my friend [sic].’ Zoe Saldaña, who appeared with Caan in 2013’s Blood Ties, wrote that it was “an honor to work with you and trade jokes about being from Queens, New York.” Inspirational: “So sorry to hear of the passing of James Caan,” tweeted Mark Wahlberg, who appeared with him in the 2000 James Gray crime drama The Yards. “It was an honor and a pleasure to know and work with a true legend like Jimmy. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP’ High praise: Josh Brolin says Caan was his ‘friend’ and ‘spirit animal’ Hometown favorite: Zoe Saldaña, who appeared with Caan in 2013’s Blood Ties , wrote that it was “an honor to work with you and trade jokes about being from Queens, New York.” ‘It was such an honor to work with him’: Caan’s Elf co-star Zooey Deschanel posts this sweet tribute ‘He was so much fun’: Sharon Stone also gushed about working with Caan Thief was one of Caan’s most praised films, and the film’s director, Michael Mann – known for Heat and The Last Of The Mohicans – has shared a touching tribute to his old friend and colleague. “What a terrible and tragic loss,” she wrote while sharing a photo of the two on the set of Thief. Jimmy was not just a great actor with total dedication and a risk-taking spirit, but he had a vibrancy at the core of his being that drove everything from his art and friendship to sports and great times. “There was a core of values ​​in him about how people should be, more or less. It might be changeable, corners could be rounded with urban irony, but there was a line and they weren’t traded. And it produced many outrageous and hilarious anecdotes,” he continued. “I loved him and loved working with him. He reached to the core of his being in difficult personal moments to be the rebellious, half-wild child, institutionalized outsider Frank, in my first film, Thief. Frank is half Frank, half Jimmy. “The character and the man – like his Sonny in The Godfather – were made for each other,” he concluded, adding, “Unique. What a loss.” ‘What a loss’: Thief was one of Caan’s most memorable films and the film’s director Michael Mann – known for Heat and The Last Of The Mohicans – has shared a touching tribute to his old friend and colleague Actress Jennifer Tilly recounted a hilarious anecdote Caan once told her about the creation of The Godfather. “James Caan always had the funniest stories,” he wrote. “He told me once [director Francis Ford] Coppola had a habit of taking food off his plate and eating it, so one day he made a sandwich of very hot jalapeños between two pieces of buttered bread and waited outside Coppola’s air…