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James Caan, Scott Caan

Scott Caan is remembering his dadJames Caan.

In anew interviewwithExtrawhile promoting his new Fox seriesAlert: Missing Persons Unit, his son Scott, 46, recalled some of the best advice his father ever gave him.The Godfatheractordiedin July at age 82.

“We’ve always been close. … I’m not gonna get into the specifics, but there was nothing that needed to be said that wasn’t said,” Scott said about his final conversations with James.

“I’m lucky for that,” Scott added, “and as you said, he’s one of the greatest human beings of all time, forget actors, which he was one of the best at that too. … If you knew him, you knew that you’d never meet anyone like him ever again. Special dude, man.”

Asked about the best advice James ever gave Scott, the actor turned to sports analogies: “‘Keep your head down when you’re fielding a ground ball,’ you know what I mean? It was always sports with him.”

“Starting when I was 3 or 4 years old, he said, ‘If someone does something that you don’t like, you ask them once not to do it, and if they do it again, then you can hit him.’ That was his advice,” he added.

James Caan and son Scott Caan in June 1989.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

scott caan, james caan

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In 2010, theHawaii Five-0star and his dadspoke to PEOPLEabout their relationship. Scott, who called his father “the greatest actor of all time,” said his dad was a huge inspiration throughout his career.

“Now,” James said at the time, “we’re really best buddies.”

Scott agreed, saying: “I have no resentment. He made mistakes that affected him — and me — but he’s always been there for me no matter what.” Added James: “I’m proud that he’s grown up so well.”

Norman Shaprio/CBS via Getty

James Caan, Scott Caan

James' death was announced in a social media postfrom the actor’s official accounton July 7, and a death certificate indicated that Jamesdied from a heart attack and coronary artery disease. The actor also suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as congestive heart failure.

Among Caan’s numerous accolades are fourGolden Globenominations, along with nods from both theAcademy Awardsand theEmmy Awards. He was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.

source: people.com