By Mark D. Zimmerman
MELVILLE, New York — Actor James Caan, most famous for his role as Santino “Sonny” Corleone in The Godfather, died last week at the age of 82. Caan was born in the Bronx to German Jewish immigrants, and his father was a kosher butcher. In addition to acting, Caan worked professionally in rodeos for many years, earning him the moniker “the only New York Jewish cowboy.” Yet many people still believed that he was Italian, and he twice won an “Italian of the Year” award. What was James Caan once asked that led him to respond, “They would have gotten punched in the face.”
A. When being interviewed about his experience filming The Godfather, Caan was asked if the production set caterers ever asked him (not knowing that he’s Jewish) if he’d like some prosciutto.
B. While in Israel, Caan was asked by a reporter if he had come across the Women of the Wall holding an egalitarian minyan at the Western Wall.
C. In regards to the BDS movement promoting that entertainers should boycott Israel, Caan was asked if anyone ever suggested he should not visit the country.
D. In an interview with the New York Jewish Week about his Jewish upbringing, Caan was asked if his grandmothers were the stereotypical Bubbys who would pinch their grandson’s cheeks.
E. Caan was asked what would have happened if he had ever awakened to find horse heads in his bed.
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Mark Zimmerman is the author of a series of Jewish trivia books, under the title RASHI, RAMBAM and RAMALAMADINGDONG: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts & Fun.