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Al Pacino’s Early Days
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“It was tough for me growing up, I will say,” he toldDonnie Brascodirector Mike Newell. “But pretty much my grandmother, she ruled. And my mother was second. They were relatively young. My mother had me young. I owe a lot to that period in my life. I owe a lot to those women and my grandfather.”
He said while his family didn’t quite “encourage” his acting, they “accepted” it.
02of 29Al Pacino as a Young ActorRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyBefore becoming the bonafide movie star he is today, Pacino studied acting at Herbert Berghof Studio in New York City and began his career on the stage.One of his teachers, Charlie Laughton (pictured here with Pacino in 1974), would become a close friend and mentor for decades to come.The two actually first met in a bar in New York City when Pacino was 17,The New Yorkernoted.
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Al Pacino as a Young Actor
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Before becoming the bonafide movie star he is today, Pacino studied acting at Herbert Berghof Studio in New York City and began his career on the stage.
One of his teachers, Charlie Laughton (pictured here with Pacino in 1974), would become a close friend and mentor for decades to come.
The two actually first met in a bar in New York City when Pacino was 17,The New Yorkernoted.
03of 29Al Pacino’s Acting TeachersAbner Symons/WWD/Penske Media via GettyPacino began taking classes with renowned acting teacher Lee Strasberg andjoined Strasberg’s Actor’s Studio in 1967; he went on to appear in productions in New York and Boston. Pacino’s Broadway debut came in 1969’sDoes the Tiger Wear a Necktie? —a role that won him a Tony Award.Here, Pacino and Strasberg are seen at a party in New York City in 1976.Pacino credits both Laughton and Strasberg with his introduction to acting, saying inInterviewthat because he “quit school to go work,” his “education came from the theater.““The people who were my mentors like Charlie Laughton, who is my greatest friend and mentor,” he continued."[There’s] Lee Strasberg, of course, Martin Bregman. I can’t say anything without mentioning those three people.“Bregman produced many of Pacino’s films and served as his manager.
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Al Pacino’s Acting Teachers
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Pacino began taking classes with renowned acting teacher Lee Strasberg andjoined Strasberg’s Actor’s Studio in 1967; he went on to appear in productions in New York and Boston. Pacino’s Broadway debut came in 1969’sDoes the Tiger Wear a Necktie? —a role that won him a Tony Award.
Here, Pacino and Strasberg are seen at a party in New York City in 1976.
Pacino credits both Laughton and Strasberg with his introduction to acting, saying inInterviewthat because he “quit school to go work,” his “education came from the theater.”
“The people who were my mentors like Charlie Laughton, who is my greatest friend and mentor,” he continued."[There’s] Lee Strasberg, of course, Martin Bregman. I can’t say anything without mentioning those three people.”
Bregman produced many of Pacino’s films and served as his manager.
04of 29Al Pacino’s First Film RoleFilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty ImagesIn 1971, Pacino landed his first major starring role on screen in the filmThe Panic in Needle Park, in which he played a man struggling with heroin addiction.
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Al Pacino’s First Film Role
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images
In 1971, Pacino landed his first major starring role on screen in the filmThe Panic in Needle Park, in which he played a man struggling with heroin addiction.
05of 29Al Pacino in ‘The Godfather’CBS via Getty ImagesHis big break, though, came in 1972 when he stepped into the role of Michael Corleone inFrancis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfather. The role led to Pacino’s first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, though he skipped the ceremony altogether. In 2022, he toldThe New York Timesthat his absence wasn’t a protest but rather, “I was somewhat, more or less, rebellious.“He continued, when asked about his rise to fame: “I was somewhat uncomfortable with being in that situation, being in that world. I was also working onstage in Boston at that time [inRichard III]. But that was an excuse. I just was afraid to go.“Pacino reprised the role as Corleone inThe Godfather Part IIin 1974 andThe Godfather Part IIIin 1990.
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Al Pacino in ‘The Godfather’
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His big break, though, came in 1972 when he stepped into the role of Michael Corleone inFrancis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfather. The role led to Pacino’s first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, though he skipped the ceremony altogether. In 2022, he toldThe New York Timesthat his absence wasn’t a protest but rather, “I was somewhat, more or less, rebellious.”
He continued, when asked about his rise to fame: “I was somewhat uncomfortable with being in that situation, being in that world. I was also working onstage in Boston at that time [inRichard III]. But that was an excuse. I just was afraid to go.”
Pacino reprised the role as Corleone inThe Godfather Part IIin 1974 andThe Godfather Part IIIin 1990.
06of 29Al Pacino and Diane Keaton’s RelationshipParamount Pictures/courtesy of GettyDiane Keatontold PEOPLE that when she and Pacino filmedThe Godfatherin 1971, she “had a crush” on the actor.They later became a couple. As Keaton recalled, “I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker,” she said. “There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!“Pacino, though, had no desire to get married, which lead Keaton to give an ultimatum and the relationship to end.“I worked hard on that one,” she said. “I went about it in not a perfect way.”
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Al Pacino and Diane Keaton’s Relationship
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Diane Keatontold PEOPLE that when she and Pacino filmedThe Godfatherin 1971, she “had a crush” on the actor.
They later became a couple. As Keaton recalled, “I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker,” she said. “There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!”
Pacino, though, had no desire to get married, which lead Keaton to give an ultimatum and the relationship to end.
“I worked hard on that one,” she said. “I went about it in not a perfect way.”
07of 29Al Pacino in ‘Serpico’Paramount/Getty ImagesAfterThe Godfather, the roles just kept coming for Pacino, including in 1973’sSerpico,which earned him another Oscar nomination as well as a Golden Globe win.
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Al Pacino in ‘Serpico’
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AfterThe Godfather, the roles just kept coming for Pacino, including in 1973’sSerpico,which earned him another Oscar nomination as well as a Golden Globe win.
08of 29Al Pacino in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty ImagesHe earned another Oscar nomination for his role inDog Day Afternoonin 1975.
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Al Pacino in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’
He earned another Oscar nomination for his role inDog Day Afternoonin 1975.
09of 29Al Pacino at The Tony AwardsBettmann ArchiveAs his film career was taking off, Pacino continued to take the Broadway stage and in 1977 won his second Tony for his performance inBasic Training of Pavlo Hummel.Here, he poses at the ceremony withDiana Ross.
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Al Pacino at The Tony Awards
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As his film career was taking off, Pacino continued to take the Broadway stage and in 1977 won his second Tony for his performance inBasic Training of Pavlo Hummel.
Here, he poses at the ceremony withDiana Ross.
10of 29Al Pacino in ‘Scarface’Everett CollectionIn 1983, Pacino stepped into the role of gangster Tony Montana in the iconic filmScarface.
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Al Pacino in ‘Scarface’
Everett Collection
In 1983, Pacino stepped into the role of gangster Tony Montana in the iconic filmScarface.
11of 29Al Pacino in ‘Sea of Love’Universal/Courtesy Everett CollectionIn 1989, he starred as detective Frank Keller inSea of Lovealongside Ellen Barkin.
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Al Pacino in ‘Sea of Love’
Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
In 1989, he starred as detective Frank Keller inSea of Lovealongside Ellen Barkin.
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Al Pacino in ‘Dick Tracy’
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13of 29Al Pacino in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’New Line Cinema/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty ImagesThe 1992 filmGlengarry Glen Rosswas adapted from the David Mamet play of the same name. In the film, Pacino plays Richard Roma; years later, in the 2012 Broadway revival of the show, Pacino stepped into the role of Shelley Levene.
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Al Pacino in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’
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The 1992 filmGlengarry Glen Rosswas adapted from the David Mamet play of the same name. In the film, Pacino plays Richard Roma; years later, in the 2012 Broadway revival of the show, Pacino stepped into the role of Shelley Levene.
14of 29Al Pacino’s Oscar-Winning PerformanceEverett CollectionPacino would finally win his first, and only, Oscar in 1993 for his performance inScent of a Womanas a blind man who has a memorable experience in New York City after his caretaking niece hires a young man to look after him during the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Al Pacino’s Oscar-Winning Performance
Pacino would finally win his first, and only, Oscar in 1993 for his performance inScent of a Womanas a blind man who has a memorable experience in New York City after his caretaking niece hires a young man to look after him during the Thanksgiving holiday.
15of 29Al Pacino at the Golden GlobesTINA GERSON/AFP via GettyThe role would also win him his second Golden Globe Award. He later won the statue for his work inAngels in Americain 2004 andYou Don’t Know Jackin 2011.In 2001, he also won the Cecil B. DeMille Award — a prize given to recognize “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.”
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Al Pacino at the Golden Globes
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The role would also win him his second Golden Globe Award. He later won the statue for his work inAngels in Americain 2004 andYou Don’t Know Jackin 2011.
In 2001, he also won the Cecil B. DeMille Award — a prize given to recognize “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.”
16of 29Al Pacino Takes Home the OscarHAL GARB/AFP via GettyHere, Pacino accepts his Oscar for Best Actor after seven previous nominations.
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Al Pacino Takes Home the Oscar
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Here, Pacino accepts his Oscar for Best Actor after seven previous nominations.
17of 29Al Pacino Steps Behind the CameraStephane Cardinale/Sygma via GettyPacino’s directorial debut came in 1996’sLooking for Richard— a film that’s part documentary about William Shakespeare’sRichard III, a production Pacino starred in himself in 1979 on Broadway. The film’s cast includedWinona Ryder,Alec Baldwin,Kevin Spacey, Kevin Kline,James Earl Jonesand Vanessa Redgrave.Here, Pacino poses at a screening of the film at Cannes Film Festival.
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Al Pacino Steps Behind the Camera
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Pacino’s directorial debut came in 1996’sLooking for Richard— a film that’s part documentary about William Shakespeare’sRichard III, a production Pacino starred in himself in 1979 on Broadway. The film’s cast includedWinona Ryder,Alec Baldwin,Kevin Spacey, Kevin Kline,James Earl Jonesand Vanessa Redgrave.
Here, Pacino poses at a screening of the film at Cannes Film Festival.
18of 29Al Pacino and Beverly D’AngeloDave Hogan/GettyBeverly D’Angelofell for Pacino in the 1990s — while she was still married to her ex-husband. But that ex encouraged her to pursue a relationship with Pacino, and after dating for several years, she and Pacino welcomed twins Anton and Olivia in 2001.While the pair broke up shortly after the birth of their children,D’Angelo told PEOPLE,“The greatest gift that Al ever gave me was to make me a mother.“Here, the former couple poses together at the U.K. premiere of Pacino’s filmAny Given Sundayin 2000.
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Al Pacino and Beverly D’Angelo
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Beverly D’Angelofell for Pacino in the 1990s — while she was still married to her ex-husband. But that ex encouraged her to pursue a relationship with Pacino, and after dating for several years, she and Pacino welcomed twins Anton and Olivia in 2001.
While the pair broke up shortly after the birth of their children,D’Angelo told PEOPLE,“The greatest gift that Al ever gave me was to make me a mother.”
Here, the former couple poses together at the U.K. premiere of Pacino’s filmAny Given Sundayin 2000.
19of 29Al Pacino at the Emmy AwardsCarlo Allegri/GettyPacino poses alongsideMeryl StreepandAngels in Americadirector Mike Nichols at the 2004Emmy Awards, where the series won for outstanding miniseries. Pacino also won an individual award for his portrayal of Roy Cohn on the show.In 2010, he won his second Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in miniseries or a movie for his role inYou Don’t Know Jackas Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
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Al Pacino at the Emmy Awards
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Pacino poses alongsideMeryl StreepandAngels in Americadirector Mike Nichols at the 2004Emmy Awards, where the series won for outstanding miniseries. Pacino also won an individual award for his portrayal of Roy Cohn on the show.
In 2010, he won his second Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in miniseries or a movie for his role inYou Don’t Know Jackas Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
20of 29Al Pacino and ‘Salome’Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/GettyBefore becoming an Oscar winner herself,Jessica Chastainworked alongside Pacino in 2006 in a production of Oscar Wilde’sSalome —a show Pacino also starred in on Broadway in 1992 and 2003.The 2006 production at the Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles was part of a documentary Pacino created that was released in 2018 titledWilde Salome.
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Al Pacino and ‘Salome’
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Before becoming an Oscar winner herself,Jessica Chastainworked alongside Pacino in 2006 in a production of Oscar Wilde’sSalome —a show Pacino also starred in on Broadway in 1992 and 2003.
The 2006 production at the Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles was part of a documentary Pacino created that was released in 2018 titledWilde Salome.
21of 29Al Pacino in ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’Gabriel Bouys/AFP/GettyIn 2007, he starred inOcean’s ThirteenalongsideGeorge Clooney(pictured here at the film’s U.S. premiere),Matt DamonandBrad Pitt.
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Al Pacino in ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’
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In 2007, he starred inOcean’s ThirteenalongsideGeorge Clooney(pictured here at the film’s U.S. premiere),Matt DamonandBrad Pitt.
22of 29Al Pacino Wins the AFL Life Achievement AwardSteve Granitz/WireImageThat year, he also accepted the American Film Institute’s 35th annual AFI Life Achievement Award.
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Al Pacino Wins the AFL Life Achievement Award
Steve Granitz/WireImage
That year, he also accepted the American Film Institute’s 35th annual AFI Life Achievement Award.
23of 29Al Pacino at Kennedy Center HonorsAude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images.In 2016, Pacino was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors alongsideJames Taylor, members of the band the Eagles, Martha Argerich and Mavis Staples.
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Al Pacino at Kennedy Center Honors
Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images.
In 2016, Pacino was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors alongsideJames Taylor, members of the band the Eagles, Martha Argerich and Mavis Staples.
24of 29Al Pacino as a DadMichael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media/GettyPacino is father to three children: Julie Pacino (whom he shares with Jan Tarrant, an acting teacher) and his younger children with D’Angelo, Anton and Olivia Pacino.Here, Pacino poses with all three of his children at the Academy Awards in 2019.
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Al Pacino as a Dad
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Pacino is father to three children: Julie Pacino (whom he shares with Jan Tarrant, an acting teacher) and his younger children with D’Angelo, Anton and Olivia Pacino.
Here, Pacino poses with all three of his children at the Academy Awards in 2019.
25of 29Al Pacino in ‘The Irishman’Mike Marsland/WireImageIn 2019, he reunited withThe Godfather Part IIcostar,Robert De Niro,when they starred inMartin Scorsese’s filmThe Irishman.Here, the three men pose together at the film’s international premiere at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival.
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Al Pacino in ‘The Irishman’
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In 2019, he reunited withThe Godfather Part IIcostar,Robert De Niro,when they starred inMartin Scorsese’s filmThe Irishman.
Here, the three men pose together at the film’s international premiere at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival.
26of 29Al Pacino and Lady GagaDimitrios Kambouris/GettyIn 2021 he starred as Aldo Gucci inHouse of GuccialongsideLady Gaga(pictured here at the New York City premiere) andAdam Driver.
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Al Pacino and Lady Gaga
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
In 2021 he starred as Aldo Gucci inHouse of GuccialongsideLady Gaga(pictured here at the New York City premiere) andAdam Driver.
27of 29Al Pacino Celebrates ‘The Godfather’Neilson Barnard/GettyPacino took the stage with De Niro andThe Godfatherdirector Francis Ford Coppola during the 2022 Academy Awards tohonor the iconic film’s 50th anniversary.“I feel moments like this should be sincere and brief, and I’m so grateful for my wonderful friends to come here to help me celebrate with you,” Coppola said of De Niro and Pacino. “This project that we began 50 years ago with really the most extraordinary collaborators, many of them legends and so many of them that I can’t take the time to list them all, but you know them all well.““So I’m going to only thank two from the bottom of my heart,” Coppola added, thanking Mario Puzo, author of theGodfathernovels, and late producer Robert Evans.
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Al Pacino Celebrates ‘The Godfather’
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Pacino took the stage with De Niro andThe Godfatherdirector Francis Ford Coppola during the 2022 Academy Awards tohonor the iconic film’s 50th anniversary.
“I feel moments like this should be sincere and brief, and I’m so grateful for my wonderful friends to come here to help me celebrate with you,” Coppola said of De Niro and Pacino. “This project that we began 50 years ago with really the most extraordinary collaborators, many of them legends and so many of them that I can’t take the time to list them all, but you know them all well.”
“So I’m going to only thank two from the bottom of my heart,” Coppola added, thanking Mario Puzo, author of theGodfathernovels, and late producer Robert Evans.
28of 29Al Pacino and Robert De NiroRoy Rochlin/Getty for Tribeca FestivalThe celebrations continued, and in June, De Niro and Pacino reunited once again atThe Godfather50th Anniversary Screeningduring the 2022 Tribeca Festival at United Palace Theater in New York City.
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Al Pacino and Robert De Niro
Roy Rochlin/Getty for Tribeca Festival
The celebrations continued, and in June, De Niro and Pacino reunited once again atThe Godfather50th Anniversary Screeningduring the 2022 Tribeca Festival at United Palace Theater in New York City.
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Al Pacino in ‘Hunters’
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source: people.com
