James Caan so self-deprecating and natural, almost as effortless natural as in his amazing acting. An amazing actor and an even more amazing human. Rest in paradise.
'self-deprecating' ?! You've got to be kidding . This clown had the most bloated ego imaginable, especially sickening was to witness the near constant pouting and complaining over the years from someone so undeservedly blessed over his lifetime with myriad opportunity and wealth galore He never expressed *sincere* gratitude for the good fortune bestowed upon him; grotesque when one considers how little he offered in exchange for those riches
Self deprecating isn’t how I would describe him either. The way he responded to Johnny when he was talking about The Godfather was really revealing. I like his work but he was arrogant for sure.
James Caan was sensational in the Michael Mann-directed ‘Thief.’ Given the monstrosity of this interview I’d like to know if Johnny Carson had him as a guest when it was released in 1981. In ‘Thief’ Caan does not smash Carlo Ritzi over the head with a garbage can cover next to a running fire hydrant. You know.
@@rsstrazz6261 I agree. He is brilliant in this performance. It’s his film forever and he portrays the character with every thing a great actor requires. And he was never an insufferable stooge regurgitating political opinions. He did the job at the highest level of professionalism.
Damn, you guys…he was talking about his wide shoulders. I’m jealous as well. Wide shoulders says “athletic” more than any other feature. This was NOT a comment about being fat.
as a kid I was a car hop at the BHH. He would come rumbling up the long driveway on his Harley, bandanna on his head, crew by his side. He was a man's man, like Bronson or McQueen. Always very unassuming, never to think he was a very big star at the time. RIP James
Unfortunately part of a movie actor's job is to sell themselves, the persona and personality. It's an act. Be charming, charismatic in talk show interviews. Pull off a Jennifer Lawrence act. Actors like Caan is not up for this bullshit. Probably why he didn't get major stardom.
So amazingly amazing , do you remember seeing this interview when aired I sure did fell in love with James Caan right hear. What a co creator's life James Caan so loved .
It is difficult for them to handle themselves in interviews, De Niro was also very shy in interviews. It does not matter, they're greatt actors and Sonny is one of my favourite characters
I think that guy that yelled something to Johnny, interrupting the start of the interview set a tone that was hard to get passed. Total rhythm breaker....
This James Caan interview is one of the most bizarre and awkward interviews. Perhaps in the history of ‘The Tonight Show.’ I wonder what Johnny Carson thought back stage after the show.
A magnificent actor and a lovely man. For me, Elf was his best work, playing the reluctant father so later bonds with his family. God bless you Mr Caan
This isn't anything unusual for James Caan at that time. I've seen him give many awkward/difficult interviews then. If you see more recent ones, he's much more relaxed and funny, but back then, I think his private life was turbulent, and he didn't seem to be very comfortable being himself in front of a camera. His interviews never reached the level of awkwardness/strangeness that Robert Blake's did, however. These days I think Caan is much more comfortable in his own skin and at peace with everything and himself.
michael perhaps that is why he was married 4 tmes?. doesnt matter still a class act, and a great actor, loved him in the godfather, and brians song. rest in peace.
It’s very hip to rag on Queens. Even the locals tend to denounce or condemn it. I’ve never been there myself, but much like Jersey, it’s probably not as bad as they say.
‘Brian’s Song’ had to be seen by Francis Ford Coppola because there is the great James Caan defending the honor of his mafia princess sister Connie Corleone by chasing her husband Carlo Ritzi down the street, throwing him against a wall, punching him repeatedly in the face and smashing him over the head with a garbage can cover.
Not quite like Charles Grodin could be but Johnny definitely had his hands full. Caan was pretty intense and like a lot of his contemporaries - very competitive and unforgiving in his high standards in acting.
If you watch The Offer on Paramount+ you get to see the whole mess it was to get The Godfather produced and to the screen. This is probably why James Caan got uncomfortable when Johnny initially brought it up. I also sensed that James is just not comfortable in impromptu scenarios, such as being on a late night talk show...Johnny did his best to reign it in and keep it under control, but the interview was still super awkward...
When I saw the Godfather, James played a Bad***. After his character died, the movie wasn't the same without him. He was Hot in El Dorado, getting physical with Josephine. I liked him in Eraser as a Bad Guy. But the one movie that really sticks with me is Misery! When he Beat the Sh** out of Kathy Bates, lol! Respect Kathy, you were awesome and creepy. You were Cool and Sexy James, I'll miss ya! Rest in Peace. ❤🙏
@ kevin fitz He should have at least got an Academy Award nomination for that role. When he gets the loan from his mother to pay off his debts to the bookies and then goes and gambles it all away! I was like OMG what a great role. RIP also to Paul Sorvino who costarred in that movie with James Caan.
Well. That was awkward, wasn't it? I didn't know that James Caan was so uninteresting? Or maybe he was playing a role here? In which case, he is really a good actor... lol!
Poor James allowed fame and success to erode his health, relationships and happiness. He never was able to manage his personal life like so many celebs who trade true happiness for fleeting pleasures of the moment.
@@GeneBurnett I can just make out: "Afterall and see you later Johnny!" or "Have to roll and see you later Johnny!" or "Have to go and see you later Johnny!" ?
@@AlainHubert Yeah, something like that. What kind of jackass announces something like that in the middle of a tonight show interview? I bet security had a few choice words for him. ;~)
@@johnnycarson thanks - when I heard Johnny reference watching the Godfather Saga on tv, I knew it had to be 77/78 because 75 was too early for that to be on tv. So I looked it up. I appreciate you sharing these!
I met James Caan. He was a wonderful man who took his time to pose for a couple of photos with me. RIP you great legend!
That would have been so cool.
James Caan was the best, and so was Johnny! RIP to both gentlemen.
James Caan so self-deprecating and natural, almost as effortless natural as in his amazing acting. An amazing actor and an even more amazing human. Rest in paradise.
'self-deprecating' ?! You've got to be kidding . This clown had the most bloated ego imaginable, especially sickening was to witness the near constant pouting and complaining over the years from someone so undeservedly blessed over his lifetime with myriad opportunity and wealth galore
He never expressed *sincere* gratitude for the good fortune bestowed upon him; grotesque when one considers how little he offered in exchange for those riches
Self deprecating isn’t how I would describe him either. The way he responded to Johnny when he was talking about The Godfather was really revealing. I like his work but he was arrogant for sure.
not to take away from his iconic performances in his classics, but I feel his most underrated performance of all , was in THIEF......
James Caan was sensational in the Michael Mann-directed ‘Thief.’ Given the monstrosity of this interview I’d like to know if Johnny Carson had him as a guest when it was released in 1981. In ‘Thief’ Caan does not smash Carlo Ritzi over the head with a garbage can cover next to a running fire hydrant. You know.
Ironically....He considered Thief His Best Role !
I totally agree
His dialogue in "Thief" & ways he delivers it along with his facial expressions, body movements, etc. is amazing.
@@rsstrazz6261 I agree. He is brilliant in this performance. It’s his film forever and he portrays the character with every thing a great actor requires. And he was never an insufferable stooge regurgitating political opinions. He did the job at the highest level of professionalism.
Tough interview for Johnny. We now know why James Cann was a actor. He was a very good actor. RIP to Joanie and James.
Johnny could be jealous sometimes.
I have never seen James more nervous than this. Poor Johnny just couldn’t save this interview.
Johnny has made mention about having rough interviews. But he was always a class act no matter what.
James Caan has to have his suit tailored to fit his insane shoulder frame genes
@@Poeme340 sad times .
Today , he would be considered "slim".
Damn, you guys…he was talking about his wide shoulders. I’m jealous as well. Wide shoulders says “athletic” more than any other feature. This was NOT a comment about being fat.
as a kid I was a car hop at the BHH. He would come rumbling up the long driveway on his Harley, bandanna on his head, crew by his side. He was a man's man, like Bronson or McQueen. Always very unassuming, never to think he was a very big star at the time. RIP James
How tall
Now you see why he didn't do a lot of interviews. Sometimes one of the hardest things for an actor to do is be themselves.
Unfortunately, I think he was being himself
Unfortunately part of a movie actor's job is to sell themselves, the persona and personality. It's an act. Be charming, charismatic in talk show interviews. Pull off a Jennifer Lawrence act. Actors like Caan is not up for this bullshit. Probably why he didn't get major stardom.
he was being himself. kinda hard to do an interview with a jealous carson who seems to dislike all his guests
@@lepetitchat123 moron he did have major stardom. he doen't need to kiss the ass of carson to like him
@@lepetitchat123 Robin Williams was the best at putting on a show for interviews
I’ve never seen Carson work this hard. It’s like trying to resuscitate someone who’s been dead for five minutes.
James Caan one of my favorite, 👍🏿1940-2022
So amazingly amazing , do you remember seeing this interview when aired I sure did fell in love with James Caan right hear. What a co creator's life James Caan so loved .
It is difficult for them to handle themselves in interviews, De Niro was also very shy in interviews. It does not matter, they're greatt actors and Sonny is one of my favourite characters
Yes you can see he is Very uncomfot2!! Hes almost pleading with John to help him out
That was still MORE entertaining than anything you see on late night tv nowadays
Amen!
Not really, but I'm sure you're just being nostalgic
Rest in piece to one of my favorite actors ever, rest easy sunny.
Sonny
@@suzettebennett9112 thank you
And peace.
Rest in paradise James!
James Caan was an amazing actor.
Rollerball is a very underrated movie.
RIP one of the Greats !
When Tom Jones' life becomes a movie we know who to call.
ok
One of our best actors!...I miss Jimmy Caan😢😢
I think that guy that yelled something to Johnny, interrupting the start of the interview set a tone that was hard to get passed. Total rhythm breaker....
Yeah it started bad and Johnny took too long with his question, whatever it was. What movie was this
This James Caan interview is one of the most bizarre and awkward interviews. Perhaps in the history of ‘The Tonight Show.’ I wonder what Johnny Carson thought back stage after the show.
A magnificent actor and a lovely man. For me, Elf was his best work, playing the reluctant father so later bonds with his family. God bless you Mr Caan
This isn't anything unusual for James Caan at that time. I've seen him give many awkward/difficult interviews then. If you see more recent ones, he's much more relaxed and funny, but back then, I think his private life was turbulent, and he didn't seem to be very comfortable being himself in front of a camera. His interviews never reached the level of awkwardness/strangeness that Robert Blake's did, however. These days I think Caan is much more comfortable in his own skin and at peace with everything and himself.
michael perhaps that is why he was married 4 tmes?. doesnt matter still a class act, and a great actor, loved him in the godfather, and brians song. rest in peace.
There a 2003 interview with him on Conan O’Brien and he’s just that. Very funny, and relaxed.
Good assessment. You can tell he seems preoccupied.
Rest Peacefully. One of the greats
Sincere condolences. May he rest in peace 🙏
Carson shuldn't start an interview with glorifying GF2 where Caan wasn't a part of. That ruined the mood and it went bad thereafter.
I think he took the Brando impression personally and it almost made him snap.
I like James Can's performances, but he puts down my home town, Queens! Can't get over that
Find a safe space. You'll be ok.
It’s very hip to rag on Queens. Even the locals tend to denounce or condemn it. I’ve never been there myself, but much like Jersey, it’s probably not as bad as they say.
I live in Forest Hills and it's turning into a Fucking Hood !
@@stoogefest16 ever since the Bunkers moved in couldn't care less.
I love James Caan - not the best in interviews but who cares!
Two great legends gone. ❤️
RIP JAMES CAAN
Another Great actor, RIP James Caan
I remember the good old days when Johnny would smoke on camera.
ok
I think he had most of the Rat Pack on one time and they were all sitting there smoking away.
My aunt's cousin was married to James Caan.
His nervous fidgeting in the seat and shifting and leg crossing and recrossing was very distracting. But hey its Caan, so that's all immaterial
Johnny handled himself very well there. All of today's talk show hosts would have been eaten alive by Caan.
This was a tough interview for Johnny, but he handled it well. James Caan was a wonderful actor, but a lousy guest.
"He didn't get out of the COCKADOODIE CAR."
An absolute stud. RIP.
My deepest condolences 💐
Isn't he the guy who played Misery with Kathy Bates
Yes!
And Elf
@@k9feces
Alf? Did he play Alf? 🤣
Another great movie he starred in was Thief.
Yes!
RIP James Caan 💜
Late night hosts today can learn from Johnny. The man was amazing.........
James in "Comes a Horseman" always reminds me of my grandpa who who did the same work
RIP and Godspeed.
That’s the guy in, Honeymoon In Vegas and Mickey Blue Eyes. Always played a good gangster.
Ed’s laugh cracks me up 😂😂
Rest in peace James caan
R.I.P.
James Caan
1940 - 2022
All I can think now is what he had delivered to him and his two ladies in room 4 at the PlayBoy mansion
RIP James Caan and Johnny Carson 😔
Tough interview for Carson. Not easy to have a conversation with someone that's distracted from start to finish..
Oh My!...Johnny and James...were too Funny!...Miss them BOTH!
He’s almost method acting one of his characters.
So awkward but soooo funny!!
Johnny was the best, amazing how he could talk to people. James seems a little nervous or preoccupied here.
NOW 85...BOTH STILL MEMORABLE.....RIP
Imo, Rich man Poor Man and Brian's Song are the two best "TV" movies ever.
‘Brian’s Song’ had to be seen by Francis Ford Coppola because there is the great James Caan defending the honor of his mafia princess sister Connie Corleone by chasing her husband Carlo Ritzi down the street, throwing him against a wall, punching him repeatedly in the face and smashing him over the head with a garbage can cover.
Rich Man, Poor Man actually was a mini series which in turn had a spin off series. Rudy dies at the end after killing Falconetti.
James' episode of Get Smart is still the funniest.
this was a train wreck of an interview
My favorite actor ever.
When i see him talk,Alec Baldwin's impressions of Jimmy Caan are hard to match together
Rollerball said it all.
-Reminded me of Sonny's toll booth scene.
Wow James Caan reminds me of watching Paint Dry which is more exciting.
I wonder if James Caan got invited again!
Prob not. Wow that was rough. Letterman would have ripped him apart.
@@markcat741 He did lol
This was such an awkward interview. Not what I was expecting.
Not quite like Charles Grodin could be but Johnny definitely had his hands full. Caan was pretty intense and like a lot of his contemporaries - very competitive and unforgiving in his high standards in acting.
Dude was great
Damn, he looked old for being 37 here, looks 50-55
If you watch The Offer on Paramount+ you get to see the whole mess it was to get The Godfather produced and to the screen. This is probably why James Caan got uncomfortable when Johnny initially brought it up. I also sensed that James is just not comfortable in impromptu scenarios, such as being on a late night talk show...Johnny did his best to reign it in and keep it under control, but the interview was still super awkward...
When I saw the Godfather, James played a Bad***. After his character died, the movie wasn't the same without him. He was Hot in El Dorado, getting physical with Josephine. I liked him in Eraser as a Bad Guy. But the one movie that really sticks with me is Misery! When he Beat the Sh** out of Kathy Bates, lol! Respect Kathy, you were awesome and creepy. You were Cool and Sexy James, I'll miss ya! Rest in Peace. ❤🙏
My favorite Caan movie is The Gambler. Caan and lots of other interesting characters.
@ kevin fitz
He should have at least got an Academy Award nomination for that role. When he gets the loan from his mother to pay off his debts to the bookies and then goes and gambles it all away! I was like OMG what a great role. RIP also to Paul Sorvino who costarred in that movie with James Caan.
The way he talks normal is like sonny lol
W/o godfather does james caan become a legend?
"Cinderella Liberty" was also an awesome movie. I liked James Caan in almost everything he did.
Well. That was awkward, wasn't it? I didn't know that James Caan was so uninteresting? Or maybe he was playing a role here? In which case, he is really a good actor... lol!
I thought he was interesting and engaging. I love the king of late night but he made this awkward.
Man, that was a TOUGH one! 😓😆
Like Robert Mitchum a genuine tough guy on and off screen
Poor James allowed fame and success to erode his health, relationships and happiness. He never was able to manage his personal life like so many celebs who trade true happiness for fleeting pleasures of the moment.
I love you Sonny Corleone.
Whoa ... rough night all around!
Jonathan... Jonathan... Jonathan... Jonathan... !!!
That was tough to watch.
What was said by audience member at around 0:45?
I'm wondering that myself.
"something...something..." that I couldn't make out and then "See you later Johnny". Weird.
@@GeneBurnett
I can just make out: "Afterall and see you later Johnny!" or "Have to roll and see you later Johnny!" or "Have to go and see you later Johnny!" ?
@@AlainHubert Yeah, something like that. What kind of jackass announces something like that in the middle of a tonight show interview? I bet security had a few choice words for him. ;~)
@@GeneBurnett back in 77 security was 2 fists to the face and stomach. lol
R.I.P. MR. MAN
Cant belive someone with that haircut was famous for pulling so much tail 😮
Carson unsettled not Actor. Kind off Funny Carson is totally off!!!. But as always, a good sport..Actually Hillarious...🇩🇰🇺🇸🌅🙏💕
I think James was a bit under the weather ?
I don't think Jimmy wanted to talk about Godfather, Whole interview was awkward.
What did the guy in the audience shout?
What did the guy say in the audience?
Johnny loved “ the blow “ he seemed Jackked here ! ........I know the feeling 😳
He was "coming down ".
Does anyone know where I can find The Godfather Saga on CZcams 🙏🙏🙏
RIP
Isn't this from 11/18/77 not 1975?
Yes! That's our mistake, thank you!
@@johnnycarson thanks - when I heard Johnny reference watching the Godfather Saga on tv, I knew it had to be 77/78 because 75 was too early for that to be on tv. So I looked it up. I appreciate you sharing these!
@@garysiegel213 good call! Much appreciated
"SHE SITS AND SIPS SCHLITZ!"
What a Major Disappoinrmt James Caahn was to watch.
But Johnny Carson.. a Real Professional and Stand up Guy.
Yes, I guess that's why I've never seen him on any talk shows.
Painful to watch this crappy interview. Johnny tried in vain but Caan was so bad here that it became unsalvageable.