Al Pacino Celebrates Fatherhood and Reflects on His Iconic Career at 84

Al Pacino, the legendary actor known for his roles in classic films like The Godfather, is navigating a new chapter in life—fatherhood. At 84 years old, he finds himself a father for the fourth time, welcoming his son Roman, who is now 16 months old. Sitting in a suite at a Beverly Hills hotel, Pacino reflects on his life with a mixture of surprise and humor, particularly about the notion that he has never been a godfather. “I’m not convinced, but I don’t hang with people who’d ask me that,” he muses, revealing a modest curiosity about his own legacy.

Pacino’s recent journey into fatherhood has prompted him to pen his autobiography, titled Sonny Boy, a nod to the nickname his mother gave him. He explains that part of his motivation for writing the book stemmed from the desire to share his life story with his new son. “I want to be around for this child. And I hope I am,” he states earnestly, expressing his hope to remain healthy and present in Roman’s life. Although he is co-parenting with Roman’s mother, film producer Noor Alfallah, he admits that most of their interactions are now digital. “He texts me from time to time,” Pacino shares, revealing a tender side as he describes their video chats and the joy they bring him.

As he reflects on his life and career, Pacino acknowledges that friends have been curious about his decision to write a memoir. Initially hesitant, he eventually felt that the richness of his experiences made for a compelling narrative worth sharing. He particularly enjoyed revisiting his childhood in New York’s South Bronx, and he speaks fondly of his career milestones, especially The Godfather, which catapulted him to fame over 50 years ago.

This December marks the 50th anniversary of The Godfather Part II, which, like its predecessor, won the Oscar for Best Picture. However, Pacino reveals that his early days on set were fraught with uncertainty. He was nearly replaced after just two weeks of filming, as the studio expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. “When your director talks to you and says, ‘I had a lot of faith in you. What’s happening? You’re not delivering,’ you start to feel you’re not wanted here,” he recalls, a twinkle of humor in his eye.

Everything changed during the filming of a pivotal scene where his character, Michael Corleone, takes out a mob boss and a crooked cop. This moment transformed his performance and ultimately his career. “Coppola moved the scene up the schedule to get to the meat because that’s what the studio wanted to see,” Pacino laughs, acknowledging how fate played a role in his success.

He muses about who might have taken his place had he been let go, jokingly suggesting Robert De Niro, which would have drastically altered film history. Yet, it’s 1983’s Scarface that holds a special place in his heart. Initially a box office disappointment, it later gained cult status, especially within the hip-hop community. “It was powerful,” he reflects, celebrating its unexpected rise.

Despite a decline in box office attendance, Pacino remains optimistic about the future of cinema. He fervently believes that Los Angeles must keep its theaters alive. “It can’t happen,” he repeats, highlighting the enduring value of the big screen. He credits contemporary directors like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino for safeguarding the art form.

Interestingly, Pacino is also unfazed by the rise of AI technology and its potential to replicate his likeness posthumously. “My children will take over when I’m gone, and they will take care of it. I trust them,” he explains, exuding a sense of ease about the future.

Our conversation extends beyond the expected as Pacino shares personal anecdotes, including a near-death experience during the pandemic and a financial scare when he discovered his accounts were emptied due to an unscrupulous accountant. “I was out of money. It was gone,” he recalls, adding a lighthearted touch to a serious topic.

On a lighter note, he admires younger actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver, while playfully summarizing his career with, “The standouts usually have me with a gun.” He also shares a quirky tidbit: his phone case is adorned with images of Shrek, a keepsake from his youngest daughter, Olivia.

Despite his illustrious career, Pacino reveals he has never received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a fact he seems genuinely surprised by. “Oh yeah. Sure,” he says when asked if he desires one, showing that even at 84, he still dreams of recognition.

In this new phase of life, Al Pacino continues to embody the passion and dedication that have defined his legendary career, blending the roles of father and iconic actor with grace and humor.