The theatrical producer Joseph Papp called Cazale 'an amazing intellect, an extraordinary person and a fine, dedicated artist'. He died in New York City on March 13, 1978, shortly after completing his role in The Deer Hunter. Cazale chose to continue acting despite having been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Cazale soon became one of Hollywood's premier character actors, starting with his role as the doomed, weak-minded Fredo Corleone opposite longtime friend Al Pacino in Francis Ford Coppola's film The Godfather, its 1974 sequel, and Dog Day Afternoon. Cazale started as a theater actor in New York City, ranging from regional, to off-Broadway, to Broadway acting alongside Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, and Sam Waterston. He appeared in five films over seven years, all of which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: The Godfather (1972), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), and The Deer Hunter (1978), with the two Godfather films and The Deer Hunter winning.

John Holland Cazale ( / k ə ˈ z eɪ l/) (Aug– March 13, 1978) : 8 was an American actor.

The deer hunter cast