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Death probe, mob links and alleged 'hit' on Joe Pesci: Inside James Caan's riveting real life

Back in 1993, Caan was questioned as a witness by the LAPD in what was being considered as a possible murder of Mark Alan Schwartz
UPDATED JUL 8, 2022
James Caan allegedly ordered a mafia-like hit on Joe Pesci over unpaid hotel bills. (Photo: Matt Carr/ Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
James Caan allegedly ordered a mafia-like hit on Joe Pesci over unpaid hotel bills. (Photo: Matt Carr/ Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

James Caan, 82, the actor particularly known for playing Sonny Corleone in 'The Godfather' died on Thursday, July 7, as confirmed by family via his official Twitter account. He was a part of several blockbusters and his career spanned decades. His family didn't mention the cause of death. While many people remembered the legendary actor, there some not so pleasant memories that the public have of the actor. Caan was a man with many secrets, a few which resurfaced after news of his death. 

Caan was from New York City and once explained that his role as Sonny Corleone in 'The Godfather' was heavily inspired by the streets. The 'Elf' actor told The New York Post earlier this year, "I really believe that you grow up a certain way in New York. There’s a New York morality, a sense of loyalty. You know how to win and lose. There are a thousand kids outside; you know who to push and who not to push. There’s a sixth sense you develop just because it’s New York." While he played a kick-ass member of the famed mafia behind the camera, the actor was closer to the actual lifestyle than we can imagine.

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James Caan involved in murder probe

Back in 1993, the late actor was questioned as a witness by the Los Angeles Police Department about what they described as a possible murder. Mark Alan Schwartz,25, a West Hollywood resident who was an acquaintance of Caan, tragically and mysteriously passed away. It was said that Schwartz tried to climb into an 8th-floor balcony of a mutual friend. Detective Vic Pietrantoni, at the time, according to LA Times, told, "It appears he lost his footing and fell to his death. An autopsy was conducted which confirmed that the cause of death was related to the fall." The 54-year-old actor was questioned for hours on end and was considered as a witness, but he long denied his involvement with the incident.Investigators said the victim “may have been associated” with a tenant on the eighth floor of the apartment building on the 10000 block of Wilshire Boulevard. They said it was Caan’s connection with the eighth-floor tenant that prompted them to question the actor at length. “Mr. Caan has been interviewed as a witness and has been released,” said Capt. William Gartland, commander of the Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide division.

Caan told Fox News back in the days, "It was just a horrible, bad luck thing and a terrible thing for a 25-year-old kid to die like that." This mystery was never solved and Caan took this secret to the grave. But that's not it. He was close to an actual mafia member and allegedly got a fellow actor beaten up... MAFIA style!

Actor James Caan attends the 41st Annual Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on April 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

James Caan's mafia links 

For those who didn't know, Caan in his second marriage to Sheila Marie Ryan welcomed their son Scott Andrew Caan, who ended up becoming an actor himself. However, Caan decided to make Colombo crime family boss Andrew Russo his son's godfather and the world was shaken. Caan’s relationship with the Russos earned him quite a reputation in New York City. He had a long-lasting friendship with Russo, who died in 2022. As per the New York Post, Russo was out on a $10 million bail and was facing federal racketeering charges. He was a part of one of the biggest mods takedown as 127 members, including Russo were arrested. Caan talked to the New York Post once again after Russo's arrest saying, "I'd be willing to put up anything of personal value that the court would accept [for bail]. I would not hesitate a moment to fly in and be present if the court should so request. In short, there's nothing I wouldn't do to see this man where he belongs and where he is needed the most — with his family."

Caan had always been to be hot-tempered and rough around the edges. Back in the year 1982, actor Joe Pesci stayed in a Miami hotel with Dodi Fayed, and it is alleged that later on, Caan ordered a mafia-style hit on the actor for unpaid bills of $8,000. As per Anthony “The Animal” Fiato, an American mobster and hitman for the Los Angeles crime family,  Caan had allegedly ordered Fiato to 'take care' of the matter. Caan’s then spokesperson, Arnold Robinson, denied all such claims but Fiato doubled down on his statement broadcasting that he had official recordings of Caan ordering the hit.

Joe Pesci attends the Premiere Of Netflix's "The Irishman" at TCL Chinese Theatre on October 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Fiato said, "Jimmy can say he's a friend of Pesci's now. But he can't deny that at one time he tried to hurt him. It's on tape,” referring to the alleged recordings he took of Caan back then. In the recording, after Fiato says that they will get to Pesci, Caan said, "Good, good. We're gonna make him pay." While many people are celebrating Caan's legacy, there are some mysterious black spots on his journey that we now may never get an explanation of. 

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