James Caan - Details

Born in the Bronx and raised in Queens, New York, Caan knew early on that he did not want to follow in his father's footsteps and work in the family meat business. He entered Michigan State University at age sixteen to study economics and to play football. He transferred to Hofstra University to study law and during a spring break was interviewed by and accepted to Stanford Meisner's Neighborhood Playhouse. Caan then won a scholarship to study with Wynn Handman, and went on to get the first four jobs he auditioned for in the theater.

Caan began his career on stage in the 1961 off-Broadway production of "La Ronde." He followed with a powerful slate of guest appearances in virtually every major television series.