Sammy the Bull claims that James Caan was connected to the mafia

Breadcrumb Trail links

1. Holy
2. Movies
3. a crime
4. Celebrity

Publication date:

Jul 09, 2022 • 7 hours ago • Read 2 minutes • 10 comments Hi Carlo. James Caan, left, as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, punches his brother-in-law Carlo. Photo by HANDOUT /PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Article content

Iconic actor James Caan didn’t just play a gangster on the big screen, he was connected to the Colombo crime family in real life, claims former Gambino underboss Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano.

Advertisement 2

This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.

Article content

“The Godfather” star Caan, 82, died Thursday.

When news of his death broke, Gravano — whose testimony failed a barefoot John Gotti — was interviewed by Megan Kelly.

Former Gambino underboss Sammy “The Bull” Gravano. Photo by HANDOUT /SALVATORE GRAVANO

Gravano claims Caan had to ask boss Joe Colombo for permission to appear in The Godfather as the fiery Sonny Corleone. The gangster was present at the time.

“He was in the mob,” Gravano told Kelly. “James Caan was in there – he was involved with the mob.”

Gravano continued, “I was there when he came and asked permission to be in this movie. I was there with (future boss) Carmine Persico. Joe Colombo gave him the role. He was related to the Colombo family.

Too fair. Sammy (The Bull) Gravano. (Getty Images)

Kelly was skeptical, especially since Caan was Jewish, not Italian.

Gravano replied that the actor was not a created person (only for Italians), but a collaborator.

Advertising 3

This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.

Article content

Caan’s role in the 1972 blockbuster would earn him an Oscar nomination and mark his place in film history.

“This is a mob associate,” Gravano said. “In other words, he’s already registered with the mob as an associate.”

“He’s not made a member,” Gravano explained. “He is not one of us, but he is an associate of Colombo. Just like (Frank) Sinatra was.”

Kelly quickly told viewers that Gravano’s claims could not be immediately confirmed and said she would “be embarrassed if none of this is true, despising him on the day he dies.”

James Caan attends the premiere of “Henry’s Crime” during the Toronto International Film Festival, September 14, 2010. Photo by Alex Urosevic /Toronto Sun

Gravano was a key player in the Gambino crime family, orchestrating the legendary 1985 Christmas hit against boss Paul Castellano outside New York’s Sparks Steakhouse.

He eventually rose to underboss under Gotti and was known for his shrewd ability to win and keep a low profile. Gotti possessed none of these prerequisites for the Mafia.

Advertising 4

This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.

Article content

In 1991, Gravano went crazy when he overheard an FBI wiretap of Gotti discussing plans for the muscle-bound mobster to take responsibility for multiple crimes. The underboss knew his days were numbered and began to cooperate.

The result was that 39 gangsters – including the boss – were sent to prison.

Gravano now hosts a popular underworld podcast called Our Thing and is in demand as a speaker as well as a film and television consultant.

On the anniversary of Castellano’s hit, Gravano told The Toronto Sun that he no longer fears for his life and that many mobsters will eventually thank him for taking down John Gotti.

Naperen Gotti was bad for business.

hunter@postmedia.com

@HunterTOSun

Share this article on your social network

Advertisement 1

This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.

From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinions and photos from the Toronto Sun.

By clicking the signup button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

Thanks for signing up!

A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your spam folder.

The next issue of Your Midday Sun will be in your inbox soon.

We encountered a problem registering you. Please, try again

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourages all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments can take up to an hour to be moderated before they appear on the site. Please keep your comments relevant and respectful. We’ve enabled email notifications – you’ll now receive an email if you get a reply to your comment, there’s an update to a comment thread you’re following, or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.