Al Pacino biography, wife, age, young, kids, Oscar, height 2025

Al Pacino's biography

Al Pacino is an American actor of cinema and theater, who's rightfully considered a living Hollywood legend: his filmography includes such iconic images of cinema as Michael Corleone, Tony Montana, Colonel Slade and even devil himself. Net worth: $120 million.

Al Pacino – the legend of American cinematography

Al Pacino's childhood

Alfredo James Pacino was born in the family of insurer Salvatore Pacino and housewife Rose Gerardi. Alfredo's maternal grandparents had immigrated to America from the Sicilian town of Corleone; the future actor's father also had Italian roots.

Salvatore and Rose had married at a very young age: he was 20 and she was just 17. A year later their baby was born, but that couldn't save the rushed marriage - two-year-old Alfredo would endure his parents' separation and move with his mother to her parents on the outskirts of New York, to South Bronx.

Even today, the area conjures images of crushing poverty, crime, and urban decay for most New Yorkers, but the situation was much worse in the early 1940s. Little Alfredo wasn't allowed outside alone until he turned seven and the only entertainment for the boy was the local cinema, where he was taken by his mother in the evenings. Bored out of his mind during the day, he'd dramatically retell the movie plots to his grandmother who watched him - and that's how his passion for cinema was born.

Al Pacino's passion for cinema appeared in childhood

But once the boy could venture out on his own, he completely went wild: teachers couldn't handle his behavior, let alone his academic performance. He tried his first cigarette at 9, and by 13 was drinking and smoking weed. The death of his two close friends from an overdose, kept him away from hard drugs.

Early in life Al Pacino was a "difficult teenager"

Al Pacino's theatrical career

As a teenager, Alfredo—nicknamed Sonny Scott—dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but after watching a staging of Chekhov's "The Seagull," his passion shifted to acting. Soon the young man enrolled at New York's famous Fiorello La Guardia High School of Performing Arts, where his classmates dubbed him "Actor."

In youth Al Pacino dreamed of becoming a professional sportsman

In 1960, the "Actor" joined New York's theater underground, performing scenes in public places with his friend before passing a hat for donations. Later he joined the Herbert Berghof Studio (HB Studio), where he met instructor Charlie Laughton, who taught him acting skills and became his best friend.

Al Pacino's theatrical career began with free performances

In 1962, his 43-year-old mother Rose died of leukemia, and a year later his grandfather—who had been a father figure to Alfredo—passed away. In 1966, after many unsuccessful attempts, Alfredo Pacino finally auditioned at the Actors Studio in Manhattan. He studied under Lee Strasberg, who taught students the Stanislavsky method.

Al Pacino and Lee Strasberg – the acting skills instructor

In 1967, his first commercial theater roles followed. Initially, he performed at Boston's Charles Playhouse theater for a modest $125 per week. Around this time, the actor created his stage name by shortening "Alfredo" to its first syllable. That same year, Al Pacino made his Broadway debut in "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?" earning rave reviews and a Tony Award.

Al Pacino in the «Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?» spectacle

In 1968, the actor was performing at New York's Astor Place Theater, playing street punk Murph in "The Indian Wants the Bronx" alongside his close friend John Cazale.

Al Pacino's first roles in cinema

Pacino started landing his first roles within weeks of training at the Actors Studio, though they were small parts and barely paid. In 1968, he made his debut on the "N.Y.P.D." series (Episode: "Deadly Circle of Violence") playing a minor character named John James.

Al Pacino's first role in the "NYPD" series

According to Zoomboola.com, in 1969, Pacino landed his first role in a feature film ("Me, Natalie"). The actor's talented performance caught the attention of Martin Bregman, one of the top producers of that era, who offered to work with Pacino. As it turned out, the partnership would prove incredibly successful: Bregman went on to produce Al Pacino films like "Serpico," "Scarface," and "Dog Day Afternoon."

Al Pacino's and Martin Bregman's friendship lasted for many years

In 1971 Al Pacino played drug addict Bobby in "The Panic in Needle Park" by Jerry Schatzberg. The film became the first major work of the actor.

"The Panic in Needle Park": Al Pacino as drug addict Bobby

The Godfather

In 1971, director Francis Ford Coppola was searching for an actor to play Michael Corleone in "The Godfather." Paramount executives saw the project as just another ordinary gangster drama, but Coppola was blown away by Al Pacino's performance in "The Panic in Needle Park" and brought him in to audition.

Al Pacino's casting for the role of Michael Corleone

The role of the Mafia don's son seemed tailor-made for Al Pacino, given his Sicilian heritage. Pacino's distinctive Italian looks and fiery temperament so impressed Coppola that he rejected all other candidates—including Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Redford—much to the horror of Paramount executives.

But the film's success exceeded all expectations: the saga of Vito Corleone's family, with the legendary Marlon Brando in the title role, captivated millions of viewers worldwide. "The Godfather" was the first film to show the mafia from within—not just as criminals pulling the strings of politicians, businessmen, and public figures, but as a family bound by their own twisted code of honor. On IMDb's international film rankings, "The Godfather" holds the #2 spot, trailing only "The Shawshank Redemption."

Michael Corleone cemented Al Pacino's image as a ruthless gangster who never forgives betrayal: "There are situations when the most extreme measures are justified."

"The Godfather"- the final scene

A "Godfather" sequel was inevitable, and the studio quickly greenlit Coppola to make the second film. Production began in 1974, and during the break, Al Pacino appeared in "Scarecrow" as drifter Lionel and in the crime drama "Serpico," where he played a cop facing an impossible choice: stay honest and endure his colleagues' ridicule, or compromise his principles and join the corruption. Both films were hits, proving that Al Pacino wouldn't be typecast as "Michael Corleone" for the rest of his career.

"Serpico": Al Pacino playing the straight policeman

"The Godfather Part II" proved to be a worthy successor to the original. The film weaved together two storylines—the Corleone family's origins and the aftermath of Don Vito's death. Here Al Pacino first worked with Robert De Niro (young Vito Corleone).

Young Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, 1974

Al Pacino's further career

In 1977, Al Pacino took on the role of racer Bobby Deerfield in "Bobby Deerfield." The film received lukewarm reception, unlike Al Pacino's next project – the drama "...And Justice for All", where he played the complex role of an honest lawyer. The film brought him to Oscar nomination in the category of "Best Actor", but the award ultimately went to Dustin Hoffman for "Kramer vs. Kramer" Interestingly, Al Pacino was originally set to star opposite Meryl Streep in "Kramer vs. Kramer" but turned down the role.

In 1979 Al Pacino played an honest lawyer

The '80s began with a career downturn for Al Pacino: his involvement in "Cruising" sparked outrage from the gay community, and the next film, the family comedy "Author! Author!" was heavily criticized upon release.

"Cruising": Al Pacino's character pretended to be gay

In 1983, director Brian De Palma invited Al Pacino to play in the "Scarface". The film, which told the story of Cuban exile Tony Montana, who passed the way from the criminal "six" to the owner of a cocaine empire, performed well at the box office and, though initially criticized for its controversial subject matter and graphic violence, over the years it acquired the status of a cult. The partner of Al Pacino became Michelle Pfeiffer, an 80's sex symbol.

A shot from the "Scarface" with Al Pacino

His next film "Revolution" with Donald Sutherland received a lukewarm response from audiences, making it a commercial disappointment. Producers blamed Al Pacino for the failure, and the hurt actor stepped away from film for four years, returning to the theatrical stage.

The actor again appeared on the big screen only in 1989 in the "Sea of Love". A year later he returned to the image of a gangster in the picture "Dick Tracy" about the adventures of a brave detective. The role earned Al Pacino his second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, but the award went to Joe Pesci for his role in "Goodfellas".

"Dick Tracey": Al Pacino in the role of the villain named "Big Boy" Caprice

The same year Al Pacino appeared in the image of aged Michael Corleone in the third part of "The Godfather". The story followed his complex character as he attempted to legitimize his business while dealing with family issues, who were played by Franc D'Ambrosio and Sofia Coppola, the daughter of the legendary director.

"The Godfather part III": Michael Corleone 20 years later

In 1991, he again met Michelle Pfeiffer in the "Frankie and Johnny" film. He then played brilliant salesman Ricky Roma in "Glengarry Glen Ross" (also known as "The Americans"), which brought Al Pacino to his third "Oscar" nomination.

In 1993, Al Pacino finally claimed his long-awaited Oscar for "Scent of a Woman" in the Best Actor category. The drama exploring the relationship between young student Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) and Frank Slade, a bitter, blind retired colonel with suicidal thoughts, hit audiences like a bombshell.

Al Pacino, tango from the "Scent of a woman"

That same year, Pacino returned to playing a drug dealer in "Carlito's Way," which felt like an alternate ending to Tony Montana's story. The protagonist, drug dealer Carlito Brigante, gets out of prison desperate to leave his past behind and start fresh with the woman he loves.

about the "Carlito's Way"

1995 brought the premiere of crime drama "Heat," where audiences watched the epic clash between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro's characters, while also getting stellar performances from Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, and Danny Trejo.

Audiences also took notice of the Al Pacino-Johnny Depp pairing in "Donnie Brasco," where young Depp played an undercover FBI agent and Pacino appeared as an aging gangster needing a partner.

Al Pacino and Johnny Depp played alongside in "Donnie Brasco"

1997 saw the release of what many critics consider one of Al Pacino's best films - "The Devil's Advocate." The story follows an exceptionally successful young lawyer (Keanu Reeves) who receives an irresistible offer from a major law firm. With his wife Mary Anne (Charlize Theron), he moves to an upscale New York apartment and meets the company's head - the formidable John Milton, a role that earned Al Pacino MTV's "Best Villain" award. "Al Pacino played the Devil with pleasure bordering on glee," - critics stated.

"The Devil's Advocate": the dialog between Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves

In 2002, Pacino took on the role of Detective Will Dormer in Christopher Nolan's thriller "Insomnia." The same year, Al Pacino delivered one of his most memorable performances in the sci-fi film "Simone", which unfortunately failed to become a box office hit. He played a director who gains access to artificial intelligence that can perfectly mimic any actor.

Next came roles in lower-budget films like "The Recruit" with Colin Farrell, "Gigli" with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, "The Merchant of Venice" with Jeremy Irons, and also in the "Angels in America" series.

"Angels in America": the first series with Al Pacino in the lead role

In 2007, Al Pacino appeared in Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Thirteen", playing villain Willie Bank, the casino owner who double-crossed George Clooney and his faithful team.

In 2010, Al Pacino starred in the biographical picture "You Don't Know Jack" playing Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who defended the human right for euthanasia. The performance earned Pacino both Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Kevorkian himself, who attended the premiere, praised Pacino's performance.

Real Jack Kevorkian and Al Pacino in his image

In 2011, Al Pacino ventured into unfamiliar comedy territory with a cameo in "Jack and Jill" with Adam Sandler. The experience backfired - Pacino received a Golden Raspberry Award for "Worst Supporting Actor."

Al Pacino's and Johnny Depp's Cameo "Jack and Jill"

Among Pacino's recent successful films are the poignant dramas "Danny Collins" and "Manglehorn," both released in 2014.

In 2016, the premiere of the thriller by Japanese director Shintaro Shimosawa "Misconduct" took place, where the main roles were also played by Anthony Hopkins and Josh Duhamel.

The old guard of Hollywood: Al Pacino and Anthony Hopkins

Al Pacino's personal life

Al Pacino has always kept his personal life private, though it's been anything but quiet. Early in his film career, he met up-and-coming actress Jill Clayburgh.

Their romantic relationship lasted five years, but in 1971, on the set of the first part of "The Godfather", Al Pacino began an affair with his co-star Diane Keaton, who played the girlfriend of Michael Corleone. In 1974, after the premiere of the second part, their romantic relationship ended.

In 1977, Al Pacino dated Marthe Keller, who played his love interest Lillian in "Bobby Deerfield." The romance was brief, but the actors remained friends.

In 1989, Al Pacino's daughter Julie Marie was born to acting coach Jan Tarrant.

In 1996, Al Pacino began a serious relationship with "National Lampoon's Vacation" star Beverly D'Angelo, who gave birth to his twin Anton James and Olivia Rose in 2001. Despite sharing children together, the couple split in 2003.

Al Pacino and Beverly D'Angelo with children

Al Pacino has repeatedly stated that being a father is the best thing that happened in his life. He always structured his work schedule to spend as much time as possible with his kids.

Al Pacino and his children, twins Anton and Olivia

Even in his later years, Al Pacino maintained his reputation as a charming ladies' man. In 2013, he surprised fans by dating 33-year-old Latina model Lucila Solá.

Al Pacino nowadays

In 2019, Quentin Tarantino's thriller Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was released, which brought together such stars as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie on the set. Al Pacino played a supporting role in it.

That same year also saw the release of Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman," where Pacino landed one of the lead roles, along with Robert De Niro. In 2020, Al Pacino starred in the series "Hunters" as Meyer Offerman.

Al Pacino: latest news and articles

Why You Should Watch One of the Worst Movies of 2025 According to Rotten Tomatoes

17 Jun 2025

Al Pacino admitted that he teased Madonna on the set of the film `Dick Tracy`

30 Oct 2024

Juan Wilson

The Godfather is already classic and Al Pacino is already a legend.

2021-05-10 23:35:42
Juan Bush

Recently Al Pacino playing a lot and it`s cool, he should keep doing the same.

2021-04-29 22:42:57
Mark Barber

The coolest gangster of those times. Everybody needs to watch Scarface, you should do it already!

2021-04-28 12:33:22
John Moore

In The Irishman he played well. I watched this movie two times.

2021-04-11 18:30:40
Ricardo Carter

Al Pacino is an actor with a special filing. We respect and adore him!

2021-03-31 11:33:17

Photos: Al Pacino