James Caan made his bones as a tough guy. But he was game to play against type.

"The Godfather" defined the actor in public consciousness, but he found ways to flip the script in later roles, subverting — and sometimes parodying — his big-screen persona.

Three years after"The Godfather" put Caan in the gangland pantheon, he starred opposite Barbra Streisand in"Funny Lady" , portraying the theatrical showman Billy Rose. He showed a knack for self-deprecation in Mel Brooks' slapstick spoof"Silent Movie" , playing a version of himself. "You are making big profits from my work, my risk, my sweat," Frank tells a Chicago Outfit boss in one key scene."But that is OK, because I elected to make that deal. But now, the deal is over. I want my end, and I am out."

Caan is by no means the only Hollywood star to amass an eclectic filmography, but his later roles often seemed to be in direct conversation with his earlier work, tweaking expectations in sometimes delightful ways.Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

d_arkin Only time he and Clint Eastwood worked together…. “JOE KIDD” two of my all time favorite actors. RIP

d_arkin Very sad. He leaves behind a long list of great characters from so many great movies, but my two favorite James Caan characters are Brian Piccolo in “Brian’s Song” and Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather”. RIP JC

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