James Caan, one of Hollywood's most enduring and unpredictable figures, has launched an extraordinary verbal attack on modern films, describing them as "garbage" and obsessed with "fighting, shooting and screwing".

The 59-year-old star of The Godfather, who became as famous for his hellraising off-camera as his performances on the screen, admitted that having squandered the fruits of his early success on drugs, drink and girls, he felt "envious and jealous", and bitterly described his efforts to maintain his career in the "kind of business this has become".

"Most films today are just fighting, shooting and screwing," he told the Radio Times. "All gadgets, gimmicks and garbage. In television, they won't hire you unless you're an ex-junkie in your 20s, hip enough to write what kids want to see."

Explaining his disenchantment with the roles he is offered, he added: "It gets a little discouraging to turn scripts down with the excuse, how can I tell my son I'm a zombie in space?"

During his 35-year career, he conceded, he has "made plenty of films I shouldn't have", but nonetheless claimed he had "never started out thinking it wasn't any good". For the Boys, a flop in which he starred as a song and dance man, remains one of his favourites.

Caan said: "Actors are filled with self-importance. They make a film and think they're curing cancer. To hell with that... We serve less purpose to the community than a garbage collector."

Caan could not resist a sideswipe at Hugh Grant, his co-star in his new film Mickey Blue Eyes. "He's very good at what he does. I haven't seen him do much else." Grant recently offered a similar compliment by describing his co-star as completely insane on the David Letterman Show in America.

Caan also commented on one-time co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger. "He's a great guy, not a good actor, but getting better all the time. I hope he knows his limitations."

After receiving an Oscar nomination in 1972 for playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, Caan hurled himself into the life of a movie star, including the rare, and dubious distinction of sleeping with 17 consecutive Playboy playmates.

Highly publicised addictions to alcohol and drugs, four marriages, and accusations of wife-beating followed. Though he denies ever having hit a woman, he admits that he "pissed everything away" and discovered in his early 40s that he owed $250,000 in tax.

Now married with two young children, he claims to have matured. "I've had a good run," he told interviewer Andrew Duncan. "The tough times were self-induced."

The highs and lows of a long career

Hits

The Godfather (1972)

Caan received an Oscar nomination for his role as Sonny Corleone.

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Classic war movie with 12 top stars. Although critically savaged, it has proved an enduring hit.

Misery (1990)

Although co-star Kathy Bates won an Oscar for her role as Caan's "number one fan", he did his reputation no harm as the captive author.

Flops

Freebie and the Bean (1974)

An undistinguished buddy cop movie. "Fairly obnoxious" and "mindless", said the critics

Rollerball (1975)

An ambitiously conceived and ultimately disastrous sci-fi film in which corporate rollerball teams fight for supremacy. Described as "heavy-handed and ponderous" by kind reviewers.

For the Boys (1991)

A Bette Midler vehicle about the life of a forces entertainer. Caan, as a song and dance man, was described as "a fine actor horribly miscast".