James Caan, who died in July 2022 from a heart attack and coronary artery disease at age 82, is one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history. He had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death.
He’s starred in countless movies, from “The Godfather” as Sonny Corleone to “Misery” as Paul Sheldon.
James Caan was an American actor known for his portrayal of Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather” and his performances in “Brian’s Song,” “The Gambler,” “Funny Lady,” and various other films, receiving Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Later in his career, though, Caan played a Scrooge-like role in the modern holiday comedy classic “Elf,” and thus became an icon of Christmas celebration.
The 2003 American Christmas comedy film is a holiday classic. It’s got Will Ferrell as a human-sized elf, Zooey Deschanel as an unenthusiastic blonde girl, and James Caan as the grumpy dad.
Its best lesson: “Do more of who you are.” And it has a beautiful message that you can achieve your dreams if you believe in yourself.
But what if there was another reason behind James Caan’s participation in Elf? What if he did it for the money?
Will Ferrell and James Caan attend the “Elf” New York Premiere After Party in Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on November 2, 2003 (Credit: Dave Allocca / Startraksphoto)
We did our investigation, and here’s what we found out why the Golden Globe nominee only did his role in the movie for some bucks.
The Tension Between Will Ferrell and James Caan While Filming Elf
Although Elf has become one of the most iconic and beloved holiday films of all time, making the film had its challenges. Problems plagued the filming process.
The performers had trouble getting along, and that wasn’t even considering the freezing temperatures and constant screenplay rewrites. Will Ferrell, who played Buddy the Elf, was the center of much criticism.
Amy Sedaris as Deb, Walter Hobbs’ secretary, and James Caan and Will Ferrell as father and son in Elf (Credit: New Line Cinema / Guy Walks Into a Bar)
James Caan played an estranged father who, throughout “Elf,” repeatedly shrugged off Buddy’s longing for a paternal figure and his infantile attempts to interact with his dad.
The “Thief” star reportedly regarded Will Ferrell as “unfunny and boring,” as reported by The Sun. In addition, the same source said that Caan went to the “Saturday Night Live” vet Ferrell to inform him he didn’t find any of his jokes funny. “I don’t find you funny.”
He then proceeded to give a terrible description of Ferrell to the press and everyone else who might hear. About the “Step Brothers” comedian, Caan remarked, “He’s the dullest person I’ve ever met. But he will wear anything, any time, anywhere – as you can tell.”
Comedic actor Will Ferrell, acclaimed film actor James Caan, successful film director Jon Favreau, and film industry pioneer Robert Shaye are all known for their involvement in the 2003 Christmas comedy film Elf (Credit: Dave Allocca / Startraksphoto)
Others on set allegedly “disliked” Ferrell as much as Caan did. The “Rollerball” actor disclosed that Elf director Jon Favreau disagreed with Ferrell during filming.
“The director and Will didn’t get along very well,” he added, citing director Jon Favreau and actor Will Ferrell. He continued by saying that Ferrell “wanted to work on a sequel” but was discouraged when he learned that the film’s contracts locked in Favreau’s return.
James Caan revealed that there were differences between Will Ferrell and the director of “Elf,” Jon Favreau, during filming (Credit: Dave Allocca / Startraksphoto)
What he said was, “Will [Ferrell] wanted to do it, he didn’t want the director [Favreau], and he had it in his contract. It was one of those things.”
James Caan Didn’t Like the Film’s Name
The film’s title, which is both simple and whimsical, is an excellent reflection of its mood. It’s also the kind of title that adults might dispute, but kids would accept.
However, while Caan wasn’t bothered by the film’s absurdity or the fact that he’d be cast as the movie’s Grump, he was distracted by the title.
He reportedly called the film “Elk” during filming in an attempt to spoof the movie’s name.
Will Ferrell says James Caan, who played his on-screen father, was secretly annoyed by his behavior on the set of Elf (Credit: New Line Cinema / Guy Walks Into a Bar)
In a conversation with Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies, the Primetime Emmy Awards nominee told Will Ferrell that he “can’t do it. I’ll do a picture called “Elk,” but I won’t, I don’t do Elf.”
And despite his Oscar nomination for his role in “The Godfather” films, he said he was only in it for the money when he joined the cast of Elf.
According to reports, he stated, “There is a huge difference between wanting to work and having to work. For this one, I am having to work because I need the money.”
James Caan had four marriages, including his final one to Linda Stokes, which ended in a complicated and expensive divorce.
Will Ferrell’s Big Reveal About James Caan
The Best Comedy Awardee did a beautiful job channeling Buddy the Elf’s optimistic spirit in the comedic film. He was boisterous and exuberant to the point of being overly so, and he was completely fixated on the holiday of Christmas.
However, others appreciated only some of that vigor during the film production. Ferrell admitted on The Late Late Show with James Corden that his on-screen father, James Caan, was quietly irritated by his antics.
“James Caan, just getting to work with him every day was kind of a pinch-me moment. But, he came up to me at the premiere, and, you know, it had gone great. People were like ‘This is going to be fantastic,’ and then [Caan] is like, ‘Hey, I gotta tell you something,'” Ferrell remembered.
He remarked, “He said, ‘Every day on set, I thought you were way too over the top. But now I see what you’re doing. Great job!’”
Ferrell went on, “I just love the thought that there we were, working every day, and he’s going back to his hotel going, ‘Jeez, get me out of this one.’”
Zooey Deschanel, a natural brunette, played Jovie, Buddy’s love interest and co-worker at Gimbels, with light blonde hair in Elf (Credit: New Line Cinema / Guy Walks Into a Bar)
Meanwhile, Jon Favreau, the film’s director, credited Will Ferrell and James Caan’s connection for its success.
Favreau said in the film commentary for Elf, “I think it’s the chemistry between these two guys that really, really makes the movie special. They play off each other incredibly well.”
How Much James Caan Made From Elf’s Success?
The movie had a rocky creation, yet it grossed $225 million on a budget of only $33 million.
While people may infer that Caan regretted being in Elf because of the rumor that he didn’t get along with his on-screen son, the late American actor was delighted with his decision to star in Elf because of the profitability it brought him.
Yet, exactly how much money did James Caan make off the holiday staple?
As per court records from his legal dispute with his ex-wife, James Caan earned $140,000 in residuals from “Elf” in the year 2015 (Credit: New Line Cinema / Guy Walks Into a Bar)
Nothing is known regarding James Caan’s starting salary from Elf because there were no reports at the time detailing his compensation. Regardless, it’s safe to assume that Caan’s Elf salary was substantial.
There was a very contentious divorce between the late James Caan and his ex-wife Linda Stokes. Some details of Caan’s financial situation emerged throughout that investigation.
The “El Dorado” star made $140,000 in 2015 through Elf residuals, as shown in court filings from his divorce case.
James Caan was married four times in his lifetime, and his fourth and final marriage was to actress and designer Linda Stokes, which lasted from 1996 to 2017 (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Likely, actors still collecting residuals for films that came out a decade ago will receive only a pittance. Despite that, Caan earned that huge sum from Elf residuals 12 years after the film’s initial release.
Given this, it’s likely that Caan’s estate is cashing in on the tens of thousands of dollars in annual Elf residuals he was receiving up until his death. Furthermore, for specific years Caan may have made more than $140,000 from the Christmas movie.
James Caan and Linda Stokes had two children, and Caan filed for divorce three times, citing irreconcilable differences, before their final separation in 2017 (Credit: S_bukley / Shutterstock)
James Caan must have been beaming to the bank with his first salary and the residuals he earned from Elf over the years!