The retired college dean, and brother of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, suffered a fatal heart attack on Tuesday (27Oct09), aged 75.

Cage laid his dad to rest on Thursday (29Oct09), alongside family and friends at the Christ the King Church in Hollywood, California.

He was set to walk the red carpet alongside co-stars Val Kilmer and Eva Mendes days later, at the 8 November (09) event - but has now bowed out of the screening, reports the New York Post.

A spokesperson for Cage had not responded to requests for comment as WENN went to press.