Let me tell you a story about one of the greatest actors of our time. Back in 2020, Al Pacino found himself in the fight of his life—not on screen, but in real life. A battle against COVID-19 brought him closer to death than he'd ever been before.
Recalling those harrowing moments, Pacino says, “They told me my pulse was gone. It was like... you're here one second, and the next, you're not. I thought to myself, wow, you don’t even have your memories anymore. You’ve got nothing.”
A New Chapter: Al Pacino's Memoir
Fast forward to today, and the legendary actor, now 84 years old, is reflecting on his extraordinary life in a new memoir called Sonny Boy. This book isn’t just a collection of stories—it’s a journey through his upbringing in New York’s South Bronx, his incredible career, and the arrival of his youngest child, Roman, last year.
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“Roman’s learning so much, and watching him grow has made me want to stick around a little longer, if I can,” Al shares, speaking about his toddler son he co-parents with his ex, Noor Alfallah.
The Seeds of Acting Were Planted Early
Al’s journey to becoming one of the most celebrated actors in history began with his mother, Rose. She nicknamed him “Sonny Boy” and introduced him to the magic of movies, planting the seeds of his future career. But life wasn’t easy for young Al. His mother struggled with depression and even attempted to take her own life when he was just six years old. Tragically, she died of an overdose when Al was 21—an event he believes was accidental.
“I want to give my mom the benefit of the doubt. She deserved that dignity, and I owe it to her memory to be fair,” Al reflects.
The Struggle Before the Fame
In his twenties, Al worked odd jobs and often found himself homeless as he pursued his passion for acting. It was during this time that he met Martin Sheen in an acting class. They quickly became roommates and even worked as janitors together.
“Martin was one of the best people I’ve ever known—graceful and humble. I loved him then, and I still do,” Al says with a smile.
Success Hit Like a Tsunami
When success finally arrived, it came swiftly and dramatically. Al won a Tony Award for his 1969 Broadway debut in a play that caught the eye of none other than Francis Ford Coppola, who offered him the role of a lifetime in The Godfather.
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“Getting a call from a director offering you a role, and not just any role, but The Godfather? That’s like winning the lottery a hundred million times over,” Al says, reminiscing about the moment that would change his life forever.
But fame came with its own set of challenges. “Anonymity was like this sweet little thing I took for granted. Now it’s gone, and you don’t appreciate it until it’s lost,” he admits.
Love, Loss, and Lessons Learned
In his personal life, Al has had his share of high-profile romances with Jill Clayburgh, Diane Keaton, and Beverly D’Angelo. He came closest to marriage in the early '80s with Apollo 13 actress Kathleen Quinlan, but things didn’t work out as planned.
“She knew what she wanted, and she got it—with someone else. I carried that pain with me for years,” he reveals.
Life threw another curveball in his 70s when he discovered his financial manager had been mismanaging his money. He was paying $400,000 a year for landscaping at a house he didn’t even live in and thought he had two cars but was financing 16!
“I ended up doing some really bad films just for the money,” Al admits. “But hey, we all make mistakes, right?”
Still Passionate About Acting
Despite the ups and downs, Al’s passion for acting remains undiminished. Now that he’s older, he finds himself drawn to more complex characters like King Lear.
“I stayed away from those roles for a long time. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand them better—not that they’re easier, but they resonate with me in a way they never did before,” he concludes.
