Born in The Bronx, NY; educated at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY and the Neighborhood Playhouse, New York. After some stage experience, began his film career with an uncredited bit part in IRMA LA DOUCE (1963). Caan gained prominence in the early 1970s with two powerful performances: as the cancer-stricken football player Brian Piccolo in the made-for-TV BRIAN'S SONG (1970) and the hot-tempered eldest son in Francis Ford Coppola's THE GODFATHER (1972). He distinguished himself in two emotionally charged films: playing the title role in THIEF (1981) and as the author held prisoner by "Number One Fan" Kathy Bates in Stephen King's MISERY (1990). Other notable screen credits include THE RAIN PEOPLE (1969), RABBIT, RUN (1970, playing Rabbit Angstrom), SLITHER (1972), CINDERELLA LIBERTY (1973), FREEBIE AND THE BEAN and THE GAMBLER (both 1974), FUNNY LADY (1975, playing Billy Rose), ROLLERBALL (1975), SILENT MOVIE (1976), A BRIDGE TOO FAR (1977), COMES A HORSEMAN (1978), 1941 and CHAPTER TWO (both 1980), ALIEN NATION (1988), DICK TRACY (1990), FOR THE BOYS (1991), THE PROGRAM (1993), BOTTLE ROCKET, BULLETPROOF and ERASER (all 1996), THIS IS MY FATHER (1998), MICKEY BLUE EYES (1999), THE YARDS, LUCKYTOWN and THE WAN OF THE GUN (all 2000), VIVA LAS NOWHERE and IN THE SHADOWS (both 2001), NIGHT AT THE GOLDEN EAGLE and CITY OF GHOSTS (both 2002), and JERICHO MANSIONS, DOGVILLE, THIS THING OF OURS and ELF (all 2003). He has a recurring role on the TV series "Las Vegas" (2003-2007). Caan's sole directing effort was the smoothly handled drama HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT (1980).  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1972: THE GODFATHER 2 nominations