Jul 09, 2022 • 6 hours ago • 2 min read • 10 comments Hi Carlo. James Caan, left, as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, beats up his brother-in-law Carlo. Photo by HANDOUT/PARAMOUNT PICTURES

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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, former Gambino boss Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” claims.

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Godfather star Caan, 82, died on Thursday. When the news of his death broke, Gravano – whose testimony torpedoed boss John Gotti was known by Meghan Kelly. Gambino’s former 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 – he was stuck with the mob.” Gravano continued: “I was there when he came down and asked permission to be in that movie. I was there with (future boss) Carmine Persico. Joe Colombo gave him the role. He was connected to the Colombo family.” Too honest. Sammy (The Bull) Gravano. (Getty Images) Kelly was skeptical, especially since Caan was Jewish and not Italian. Gravano replied that the actor was not manufactured (only Italians) but a collaborator.

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Caan’s role in the 1972 blockbuster would earn him an Academy Award nomination and mark his place in the film industry. “He’s a mob associate,” Gravano said. “In other words, he is now listed with the mafia as an associate.” “He’s not a member,” Gravano explained. “He is not one of us, but he is an associate of the Columbuses. Just like (Frank) Sinatra was.” Kelly quickly told viewers that Gravano’s claims could not be immediately verified and said she would “feel uncomfortable if none of this is true, putting him down on the day of his death.” 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 on boss Paul Castellano outside New York’s Sparks Steakhouse. He eventually rose to underboss under Gotti and was known for his ability to win and keep a low profile. Gotti possessed none of these mob prerequisites.

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In 1991, Gravano flipped when he overheard FBI wiretaps of Gotti discussing plans for the muscular mobster to take the fall for a string of crimes. The sub 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 success, Gravano told the Toronto Sun that he no longer feared for his life and that many mobsters would eventually thank him for taking down John Gotti. The flashy Gotti was bad for business. [email protected] @HunterTOSun

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