Al Pacino | Al Pacino Poster

Al Pacino To Get AFI Lifetime Achievement Award

2006-10-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES -- Legendary actor Al Pacino will get to say hello to a new little friend in June: an American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award.

The organization announced Friday that it will honor Pacino with its 35th annual honor.

"Al Pacino is an icon of American film. He has created some of the great characters in the movies--from Michael Corleone to Tony Montana to Roy Cohn," AFI chairman Sir Howard Stringer said in a statement. "His career inspires audiences and artists alike, with each new performance a master class for a generation of actors to follow. AFI is proud to present him with its 35th Life Achievement Award."

A two-time Tony winner and eight-time Oscar nominee, Pacino won an Academy Award in 1992 for his role in "Scent of a Woman."

Pacino, 66, starred as Corleone in "The Godfather" trilogy, and in such classics as "Dog Day Afternoon," "Serpico" and "Scarface."

Past recipients of the AFI honor include Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Elizabeth Taylor.

Recent recipients include Meryl Streep, Harrison Ford and George Lucas. Last year AFI honored Sean Connery.

The AFI celebration honoring Pacino is slated for June 7 in Los Angeles

Al Pacino to Receive AFI Lifetime Honor

2006-10-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino can add another acting accolade to his collection.

The 66-year-old actor will receive the American Film Institute's highest honor, the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, it was announced Friday.

Sir Howard Stringer, chairman of the AFI board of trustees, called Pacino 'an icon of American film.'

'His career inspires audiences and artists alike,' Stringer said.

The 35th AFI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Pacino at a tribute dinner in Los Angeles on June 7, 2007.

Past recipients of the honor include Sean Connery, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Elizabeth Taylor.

A two-time Tony winner and eight-time Oscar nominee, Pacino won an Academy Award in 1992 for his role in 'Scent of a Woman.'

He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 by the Independent Feature Project. The Hollywood Foreign Press presented Pacino with its Cecil B. De Mille Award at the Golden Globes ceremony in 2001.

BRANDO'S CORLEONE TOPS SCREEN GANGSTER POLL

2006-10-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

MARLON BRANDO's portrayal as DON VITO CORLEONE in screen classic THE GODFATHER has been voted the UK's favourite screen gangster. Brando's performance in the 1972 movie beat out competition from AL PACINO playing TONY MONTANA in SCARFACE. ROBERT DE NIRO's turn as AL CAPONE in THE UNTOUCHABLES came third in the poll by Universal Pictures UK. The Top Five Favourite Screen Gangsters are: 1. DON VITO CORLEONE (MARLON BRANDO) - THE GODFATHER (1972) 2. TONY MONTANA (AL PACINO) - SCARFACE (1983) 3. AL CAPONE (ROBERT DE NIRO) - THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987) 4. JULES WINNFIELD (SAMUEL L JACKSON) - PULP FICTION

Scarface DVD Platinum Edition and Video Game

2006-10-30T15:19:00.000-08:00

Scarface is one of the most loved gangster films of our generation. If you watch the television series MTV CRIBS its common place for show subjects to show off their Scarfaces DVD’s or original artwork posters from the movie.

Okay, so Scarface has been on DVD for awhile now, but now Universal has released Scarface-Platinum Edition. Let me be clear, if you already own Scarface on DVD, there is no need to throw aside your current DVD. However, if you consider yourself a Scarface super fan or someone buying the movie for the first time, you might want to spring for Scarface Platinum Edition.

The movie really has become immersed in popular culture. Al Pacino stars in the film as Tony Montana. Tony is a Cuban refugee who really comes from nothing at all to become a powerful and rich Miami drug lord. The film is responsible for well known catch phrases such as “Say hello to my little friend,” and “don’t get high on your own supply.”

Okay time for what is new. The new platinum edition includes an all new audio track. According to the blurb on the box, every single sound effect has been replaced and remixed. The first disc of the set includes the movie with restored audio and video.

The second disc is dedicated to all of the bonus features. Bonus features include

-Deleted Scenes
-The World of Tony Montana
-Scarface Scorecard
-Making of Scarface-The Video Game
-The Rebirth
-The Creating
-The Acting
-TV Clips

If you love this movie, or know someone who loves for this movie, definitely spring for the platinum edition, but if you are just a casual fan of the flick you should be satisfied with your current DVD…

Violent 'Scarface' is a killer game

2006-10-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

In the 1983 movie "Scarface," the F-word is uttered 218 times and 42 people are killed. You can easily top those numbers in the new video-game version, "Scarface: The World Is Yours" -- and that's even before the opening credits roll.

Film-based video games are notoriously lame, but "Scarface" perfectly captures the look, language and violence of Brian De Palma's hugely popular movie, starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant trying to take over Miami's drug empire. It's no coincidence that the game models itself after the notorious "Grand Theft Auto" titles to do so, although it's a hair-trigger short of the best of that series.

The game begins with an earthshaking shootout at Tony's mansion. Mow down anyone who enters your crib, while pressing a button to issue taunts peppered with the F-word to build up your power. Store up enough, and you can fly into a blind rage to slow down the action and take everyone out with auto-aiming.

Unfortunately, no matter how many people Tony kills, he'll lose his empire. It's up to you to regain his turf by running out rival gangs, rebuilding his reputation, laundering money, doing drug deals and more in his free-roaming world. Get Tony killed, and you'll be told you messed up -- but using a much franker, R-rated phrase.

Needless to say, like the R-rated movie, "Scarface" is not for younger folks; that's why it's rated mature. But if you're of age, Tony's world is yours.

Pacino swims in Ocean

2006-10-30T15:11:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is to star in 'Ocean's Thirteen'.

The actor has signed up to join the original all-star cast for the upcoming third instalment of the hit movie series.

The Oscar-winning star will play casino owner Willie Banks opposite Hollywood giants George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Andy Garcia.

However, Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones will not be reprising their roles from the previous film, 'Ocean's Twelve', as both stars have been snubbed by the producers.

Surprisingly, filmmakers claimed "there was no place to really use talent like theirs" in such small roles.

Director Steven Sodenbergh, who also took the helm on the first two films, is hoping to start shooting the third instalment in Las Vegas and Los Angeles later this summer. (C) BANG Media International

Al Pacino to tread boards

2006-10-30T15:10:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is to take to the stage in a production of Oscar Wilde's 'Salome'.

The legendary actor is set to play King Herod in the Los Angeles stage show, which will run from April 14 to May 14 at the Wadsworth Theatre.

'The Godfather' star worked with director Estelle Parsons for two years developing the 2003 Broadway version of the play - a one-act biblical drama. And Parsons has now been lined up to direct the production.

Pacino will play the king who lusts after his wife's daughter, Salome, played by Jessica Chastain.

Actor Kevin Anderson plays John the Baptist, Salome's object of affection and later revenge.

Al Pacino's Alley romance

2006-10-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is rumoured to be dating former 'Cheers' star Kirstie Alley.

The Hollywood heartthrob, 65, has been spotted dining out in Hollywood with the curvaceous actress - and according to onlookers the pair were romantically entwined.

The news comes just weeks after 'Fat Actress' star Alley, 54, announced she had lost 50 pounds and was ready to start dating again.

She has been single since splitting from James Wilder five years ago.

A source told America's Star magazine: "They were huddled together for the whole evening at the Chateau Marmont, and, at one point, Kirstie was stroking his thigh as she talked to him.

"It was bizarre. They totally looked as if they were on a date."

Representatives for the screen stars have yet to comment.

Last month, Kirstie revealed it took her years to face up to the fact she needed to lose weight.

She told America's People magazine: "When I got fat, I was being stupid. It was a little bit like when I used to do drugs.

"Before I stopped doing drugs, I had to spiritually get a grip and go, 'What do you want your life to be like?'"

Al Pacino and Kirstie Alley dating

2006-10-30T15:04:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is rumoured to be dating former 'Cheers' star Kirstie Alley.

The Hollywood heartthrob, 65, has been spotted dining out in Hollywood with the curvaceous actress - and according to onlookers the pair were undeniably romantically entwined.

The news comes just weeks after Alley, 54, announced she had lost 50 pounds and was ready to start dating again.

She has been single since splitting from James Wilder five years ago.

A source told America's Star magazine: "They were huddled for the whole evening at the Chateau Marmont, and, at one point, Kirstie was stroking his thigh as she talked to him.

"It was bizarre. They totally looked as if they were on a date."

Representatives for the screen stars have yet to comment.

Last month, Kirstie - star of TV comedy 'Fat Actress' - told America's People magazine: "When I got fat, I was being stupid. It was a little bit like when I used to do drugs.

"Before I stopped doing drugs, I had to spiritually get a grip and go, 'What do you want your life to be like?'"

Pacino Charms witch

2006-10-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is rumoured to be romancing 'Charmed' actress Rose McGowan - who is 34 years his junior.

The 65-year-old Hollywood legend has reportedly wooed the 31-year-old beauty, who plays sexy witch Paige Halliwell in the hit TV series, with a romantic dinner date.

A source revealed to America's Us Weekly magazine: "She thought he was too old for her at first, but Al won her over."

Rose - who was once engaged to shock rocker Marilyn Manson - is not the first younger woman Pacino has dated.

He was once linked to actress Winona Ryder, 33, and was recently spotted out with newly-single supermodel Elle Macpherson, 42.

The actor recently confessed he was baffled about being called 'Hollywood's longest serving bachelor' because he feels like he has been married several times.

Pacino, who has twins with actress Beverly D'Angelo and a teenage daughter with acting teacher Jan Tarrant, explained: "I feel as though I've been married many times. I have children and I have relationships with the women that I've had children with, and other women I've been with for a long time.

"Maybe it's the kind of women I've been with who weren't forcing the issue."

Al Pacino romancing Charmed beauty

2006-10-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is rumoured to be romancing 'Charmed' actress Rose McGowan - who is 34 years his junior.

The 65-year-old Hollywood legend has reportedly wooed the 31-year-old beauty, who plays sexy witch Paige Halliwell in the hit TV series, after a date at Los Angeles restaurant Mortons.

A source revealed to America's Us Weekly magazine: "She thought he was too old for her at first, but Al won her over."

Rose - who was once engaged to shock rocker Marilyn Manson - is not the first much younger woman that Pacino has dated.

He was once linked to his 'Simone' co-star Winona Ryder, 33, and recently took newly-single supermodel Elle Macpherson, 42, to dinner.

The actor recently confessed he was baffled as to why he was called 'Hollywood's longest serving bachelor' because he feels like he has been married several times.

Pacino, who has twins with actress Beverly D'Angelo and a teenage daughter with acting teacher Jan Tarrant, explained: "I guess I feel as though I've been married many times. I have children and I have relationships with the women that I've had children with and other women I've been with for a long time. I don't know. Maybe it's the kind of women I've been with who weren't forcing the issue.

"When I talk to my married friends, we understand each other, so I must be doing something right."

No room at the Pacino

2006-10-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino was left without a seat at the premiere of his own movie after a ticket mix-up by organisers.

The legendary actor was stunned when he arrived at the Venice Film Festival screening of 'The Merchant of Venice' only to discover there was nowhere for him to sit.

The problem occurred when a computer glitch caused 200 too many premiere tickets to be issued.

Organisers eventually found Pacino, who plays Shylock in the Shakespeare adaptation, a seat several rows from the front.

However, the blunder caused a massive 70-minute delay in the festival's tight schedule, which resulted in the premiere of Johnny Depp's new movie, 'Finding Neverland', being held up until 2am.

'The Merchant of Venice' co-producer Michael Lionello Cowan was so furious at the gaffe he has vowed never to return to the Italian festival.

He fumed to the country's La Nuova newspaper: "In my entire life as a producer I've never seen anything like this at a festival, and for this reason I'm never coming back to Venice."

Other stars attending the prestigious film festival include Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson and Quentin Tarantino.

Al Pacino and ex settle child battle

2006-10-30T11:20:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino and ex-girlfriend Beverly D'Angelo have finally settled their bitter child support battle.

The pair have reached an agreement over maintenance for their three-year-old twins, Anton and Olivia.

Pacino's lawyer, Sheila Riesel, said: "The parties have reached an agreement."

D'Angelo said about the settlement, details of which were not disclosed: "It feels terrific. I'm very happy."

Last September, Pacino was granted permission to see his twins on a regular basis by a New York court.

But the ex-couple were still at war as to where the children would live, as D'Angelo wanted to take them to Los Angeles, while Pacino lives in New York.

However, the actress has now agreed to spend every summer in New York with the children.

The custody battle between the two stars has been drawn out and bitter.

Last July, Pacino's lawyer, Martyin Wasser, launched a furious attack against D'Angelo, branding her a heartless money grabber after sources said the actor had been paying out huge child maintenance costs of up to C$35,000-a-month for the four nannies D'Angelo employed, as well as her New York apartment.

But D'Angelo hit back, claiming she had a refused Pacino's offer of C$2.7million to let him have their children and disappear from his life.

Al Pacino's Quotes

2006-10-30T11:16:00.000-08:00

"The actor becomes an emotional athlete. The process is painful -- my personal life suffers." - Al Pacino

Al Pacino's Personal Style

2006-10-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

Pacino's wardrobe has picked up a notch over the last few years. He has discovered the magic of a finely tailored Italian suit.

Al Pacino's Coolness Factor

2006-10-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Pacino is the kind of guy we'd love to play poker with, go to clubs with, go to strip joints with, and see a boxing match with. It seems that he simply can't say anything stupid.

Al Pacino's Accomplishments & Fame

2006-10-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

He can't do much more with his acting career. He has reached the pinnacle of his industry by receiving 8 Oscar nominations, winning countless awards, appearing in 30 feature films, and most importantly, winning the respect of his peers.

Al Pacino's Woman Magnetism

2006-10-30T10:28:00.000-08:00

Pacino is a short man with no particularly attractive physical attributes. Still, women love him and his bad boy "charm," and his passion for his craft and the cool men he portrays can never hurt a man's appeal with the opposite sex.

Al Pacino's Personality and Talent

2006-10-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

Unlike his buddy, Robert DeNiro, Pacino is approachable and hasn't let fame stand in the way of who he really is. He remembers his roots and that part of his personality makes him so likeable.

You could only get by in Hollywood for so long on cruise control. Pacino has long-lasting talent that has allowed him to remain in the business for over 30 years.

Al Pacino's Overall rating

2006-10-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino's roles in The Gofdather, Scarface, Carlito's Way, Scent of a Woman, Heat and many, many more great performances put him in a very select group. He's an Oscar (he's earned it) winner and one of our favorite actors.

Why is Al Pacino Famous

2006-10-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

Why people like Al Pacino

2006-10-30T09:38:00.000-08:00

Al Pacino is the actor who portrays some of our favorite characters: Michael Corleone in The Godfather, Tony Montana in Scarface, and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way. He deserves our Man of the Week feature simply for delivering some of the greatest one-liners a man can use.

Al Pacino's Salary

2006-10-30T05:22:00.000-08:00

S1m0ne (2002) $11,000,000

The Godfather: Part III (1990) $5,000,000

And Justice for All (1979) $1,000,000

The Godfather: Part II (1974) $500,000 and 10% of the gross after break-even

The Godfather (1973) $35,000

Al Pacino's Filmography

2006-10-30T04:46:00.000-08:00

July 13, 1969	Me, Natalie	Tony
May 9, 1971	The Panic in Needle Park	Bobby Lionelli
March 15, 1972	The Godfather	Michael Corleone
August 31, 1973	Scarecrow	Francis Lionel 'Lion' Delbuchi
December 5, 1973	Serpico	Officer Frank Serpico
December 12, 1974	The Godfather Part II	Michael Corleone
September 21, 1975	Dog Day Afternoon	Sonny Wortzik
September 17, 1977	Bobby Deerfield	Bobby Deerfield
June 29, 1979	...And Justice for All	Arthur Kirkland
February 8, 1980	Cruising	Steve Burns
June 18, 1982	Author! Author!	Ivan Travelian
December 9, 1983	Scarface	Tony Montana
June 30, 1985	Revolution	Tom Dobb
1989	The Local Stigmatic	Graham
September 15, 1989	Sea of Love	Detective Frank Keller
June 15, 1990	Dick Tracy	Big Boy Caprice
December 25, 1990	The Godfather Part III	Michael Corleone
1991	Truth or Dare
October 11, 1991	Frankie and Johnny	Johnny
September 30, 1992	Glengarry Glen Ross	Richard "Ricky" Roma
December 23, 1992	Scent of a Woman	Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade
November 10, 1993	Carlito's Way	Carlito "Charlie" Brigante
1994	Jonas in the Desert
November 22, 1995	Two Bits	Gitano Sabatoni
December 15, 1995	Heat	Lieutenant Vincent Hanna
February 16, 1996	City Hall	Mayor John Pappas
July 5, 1996	Looking for Richard
1997	Pitch
February 28, 1997	Donnie Brasco	Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero
October 17, 1997	Devil's Advocate	John Milton
November 5, 1999	The Insider	Lowell Bergman
December 16, 1999	Any Given Sunday	Tony D'Amato
2000	Chinese Coffee	Harry Levine
May 3, 2002	Insomnia	Detective Will Dormer
August 23, 2002	S1m0ne	Viktor Taransky
October 11, 2002	People I Know	Eli Wurman
January 25, 2003	The Recruit	Walter Burke
August 8, 2003	Gigli	Starkman
December 7, 2003	Angels in America	Roy Cohn
September 3, 2004	The Merchant of Venice	Shylock
October 7, 2005	Two for the Money	Walter Abrams
2006	88 Minutes	Jack Gramm
2006	Torch
2007	Rififi
2007	Ocean's Thirteen	Willie Banks

Al Pacino's Trivia

2006-10-30T04:29:00.000-08:00

Was voted the Number 1 greatest movie star of all time in a Channel 4 (UK) poll.
Ranked #4 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. (October 1997)
Was arrested in January 1961, charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
Son of Salvatore Pacino (insurance agent) and Rose Pacino (she died when Al was 22).
He has a daughter, named Julie Marie, with acting teacher Jan Tarrant.
Dropped out of school at the age of 17.
Favorite food is Tesco beef and onion crisps.
Turned down the role of Ted Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979).
Turned down Born on the Fourth of July (1989).
Turned down Crimson Tide (1995).
Originally asked for $7 million for The Godfather: Part III (1990), a figure that so enraged director Francis Ford Coppola that he threatened to write a new script that opened with Michael Corleone's funeral. Pacino settled for $5 million.
Father of twins Anton and Olivia (b. 25 January 2001), with Beverly D'Angelo.
His grandparents originate from Corleone, Sicily.
Was frequently referred to as "that midget Pacino" by producers of The Godfather (1972) who didn't want him for the part of Michael Corleone.
Stopped a 2-pack-a-day smoking habit in 1994 to protect his voice. He now only occasionally smokes herbal cigarettes.
Al was so much into character (playing a plain-clothes NYC cop) while filming Serpico (1973) he actually pulled over and threatened to arrest a truck driver for exhaust pollution.
Is an avid fan of opera.
Once worked as an usher at Carnegie Hall.
Larry King considers Pacino's appearance on his show Larry King Live (1985) in November 1996 as one of his personal all-time favorite interviews.
As of 2002, his salary was around $10 million a picture.
One of the few Hollywood stars who has never married.
Despite the fact that he starred in The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui for Off-Broadway scale pay (the minimum salary allowed by Actor's Equity), the production had the highest ticket price in Off-Broadway history at $100 per ticket.
He is one of 10 to have been nominated for both a Supporting and Lead Acting Academy Award in the same year. The other nine are Barry Fitzgerald, Fay Bainter, Teresa Wright, Jessica Lange, Sigourney Weaver, Emma Thompson, Holly Hunter, Julianne Moore and Jamie Foxx. Pacino was the second male actor, after Barry Fitzgerald, to have been nominated for both a Best Supporting Actor and a Best Actor Oscar in the same year; the third is actor Jamie Foxx in 2005. Pacino was nominated in 1993 for Scent of a Woman (1992) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992); Foxx in 2005 for Ray (2004) and Collateral (2004). Both won the Best Actor award and played blind men in their roles: Pacino as Frank Slade and Foxx as Ray Charles.

Won two Tony Awards: in 1969 as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and in 1977 as Best. Actor (Play) for The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel.
Won his first Oscar twenty-one years after his first nomination.
He and Chris Sarandon improvised their scene on the phone in the film Dog Day Afternoon (1975).
Studied acting under Charles Laughton.
He is an avid Shakespeare fan.
For a short while, he was the only actor to be in the #1 Best and Worst Movie on IMDb: The Godfather (1972) and Gigli (2004)
In a Playboy magazine interview, he claimed that he was fired from his job as a movie theater usher while walking down the staircase and admiring himself in the mirrored wall.
Portrayed crime bosses in The Godfather Trilogy, Scarface (1983) and Dick Tracy (1990).
In 2004 he became the eighteenth performer to win the Triple Crown of Acting. Oscar: Best Actor, Scent of a Woman (1992); Tonys: Best Supporting Actor-Play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? (1969) and Best Actor-Play The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel (1977); and Emmy: Best Actor-Miniseries/Movie, Angels in America (2003).
Pacino was rejected repeatedly by studio heads while auditioning for the role of Michael in The Godfather (1972) but Francis Ford Coppola fought for him. This film was shot briskly because both the director and the leading actor were in constant fear of being fired. The film turned out to be a breakthrough for both.
He is the stepson of actress and make-up artist Katherin Kovin-Pacino.
He has four sisters: Josette, a teacher, twins Roberta and Paula, and a younger sister named Desiree, whom Pacino's father adopted whilst married to his fourth wife.
Was a longtime member of David Wheeler's Theatre Company of Boston, for which he performed in Richard III in Boston from Dec 1972 to Jan 1973 and at the Cort Theater in New York City from June 10 to July 15, 1979. He also appeared in their productions of Bertolt Brecht's Aurturo Ui at the Charles Theater in Boston in 1975 and later in New York and London, and in David Rabe's The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel at the Longacre Theater in New York in 1977, for which Pacino won a Tony Award. Wheeler also directed Pacino in Heathcote Williams' The Local Stigmatic for Joseph Papp's Public Theater in New York City in 1976. Pacino appeared in a 1989 film of Stigmatic, directed by Wheeler that was presented at the Cinémathèque in Los Angeles.
Was the recipient of the 2001 Cecil B. DeMille Award from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for his "outstanding contribution to the entertainment field".
Won the Best Actor Obie (awarded for the best Off-Broadway performances) for The Indian Wants The Bronx in 1968. Was also nominated for a Best Actor Obie for Why Is a Crooked Letter in 1966.
His performance in the Broadway play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? won him a Tony Award for Best Dramatic Supporting Actor, and a Drama Desk Award and Theatre World Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1969.
Turned down the lead role of Roy Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
While Paramount brass dithered over whether to cast him as Michael Corleone, the role that would make him a star, a frustrated Pacino signed up for the role of Mario Trantino in The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971). When Paramount finally decided to offer him the role in The Godfather (1972), they had to buy him out of his contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The role went to Robert De Niro, whom The Godfather: Part II (1974) would make a star.
His favorite actress is Julie Christie.
Premiere Magazine ranked him as #37 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).
Grew up in the South Bronx, New York City.
Attended The High School of the Performing Arts until he dropped out.
Was John Schlesinger's original pick for Marathon Man (1976) but producer Robert Evans insisted that Schlesinger cast Dustin Hoffman instead.
Has a production company called Chal Productions. The "Ch" is in tribute Charles Laughton while the "Al" is for himself.
Worked in the mail room of Commentary magazine.
Shares a birthday with Talia Shire, his co-star in The Godfather films, and Hank Azaria, co-star in Heat.
Speaks fluent Spanish.
Briefly worked as a stand-up comic early in his career.
Early in his acting career, he considered changing his name to "Sonny Scott" to avoid being typecast by his Italian name. "Sonny" was his childhood nickname.
Alec Baldwin, who co-starred with Pacino in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) and Looking for Richard (1996), wrote a 65 page final thesis on Al Pacino and method acting for his degree at New York University (NYU).
Was friends with John Cazale since they were teenagers. They starred together in Dog Day Afternoon (1975), The Godfather: Part II (1974) and The Godfather (1972)
He is only one of four actors to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. He was nominated as for The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974). The others are Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler (1961) and The Color of Money (1986), Bing Crosby as Father O'Malley in Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), and Peter O'Toole as Henry II in Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968).
He and Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor Awards back-to-back. Both of them won for playing characters that had previously been played by other actors (Vittorio Gassman and Brian Cox, respectively). He and Hopkins have also both appeared in remake of a Michael Mann project. Hopkins appeared in the Manhunter (1986) remake Red Dragon (2002), and Pacino appeared in the L.A. Takedown (1989, TV) remake, Heat (1995).
Oscar-winning director John Schlesinger envisioned a cast of Pacino, Julie Christie and Laurence Olivier for Marathon Man (1976). Pacino has said that the only actress he had ever wanted to work with was Christie, who he claimed was "the most poetic of actresses." Producer Robert Evans, who disparaged the vertically challenged Pacino as "The Midget" when Francis Ford Coppola wanted him for The Godfather (1972) and had thought of firing him during the early shooting of the now-classic film, vetoed Pacino for the lead. Instead, Evans insisted on the casting of the even-shorter Dustin Hoffman. Christie, notoriously finicky about accepting parts, turned down the female lead, which was then taken by Marthe Keller (who became Pacino's lover after co-starring with him in Bobby Deerfield (1977)). Of his dream cast, Schlesinger only got Olivier, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Pacino has yet to co-star with Christie.
Turned down the role of Richard Sherman for a remake of The Seven Year Itch (1955) which was never filmed.
Turned down role as Michael Corleone in the Godfather videogame. (He had already signed on scarface videogame and could not do both since they have same target audience)
His performance as Sonny Wortzik in Dog Day Afternoon (1975) is ranked #4 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).
His performance as Michael Corleone in The Godfather: Part II (1974) is ranked #20 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).
His performance as Tony Montana in Scarface (1983) is ranked #74 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
His performance as Michael Corleone in The Godfather: Part II (1974) is ranked #11 on the American Film Institute's 100 Heroes & Villains.
His performance as Frank Serpico in Serpico (1973) is ranked #40 on the American Film Institute's 100 Heroes & Villains.
Was director Bryan Singer's first choice for the role of Dave Kujan in The Usual Suspects (1995). Pacino passed on the role and has since stated that that is the role he regrets passing on the most.
According to the book "Al Pacino: In Conversation with Lawrence Grobel," his favorite film of all-time is the Robert De Niro film "Bang the Drum Slowly."

Al Pacino's Personal Life

2006-10-30T01:15:00.000-08:00

Pacino suffered from a throat disorder in the mid-1980s which forced him to stop smoking cigarettes. In Sea of Love, he sounded noticibly different, the beginning of his now-famous dark, owly eyes and hoarse, deep voice. He hasn't stopped smoking, but he has successfully transferred his habit to herbal cigarettes.

Although he has never been married, Pacino has three children. The first, Julie Marie is his daughter with acting coach Jan Tarrant. He also has twins, Anton and Olivia, with ex-girlfriend Beverly D'Angelo.

On the set of The Recruit, he met and befriended Colin Farrell, who regards Pacino as an idol. Pacino later called Farrell the most talented actor of his generation.

Pacino rarely grants interviews, so when he decided in 2005 to reveal more of himself than he ever has before, the world welcomed this new glimpse into his personal and professional lives. see Al Pacino in his own words: conversations, 1979-2005, ed. Lawrence Grobel (New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2006).

A Pacino's Career in the 2000s

2006-10-30T01:08:00.000-08:00

Additionally, Pacino had recently turned down the offer to reprise the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather: The Game, due to the fact that his voice had changed dramatically since he played the young Michael. As a result, Electronic Arts could not use Pacino's likeness or voice in the game (although Michael does appear in it). It is rumored that this decision was made by Pacino due to a conflict with EA's rival game publisher, Vivendi Universal, which is preparing to publish a competing movie-to-game adaptation of the 1983 remake of Scarface, titled Scarface: The World is Yours.

The qualitative consistency of Pacino's performances, as well as his larger-than-life onscreen presence, has established him as one of the world's major actors. Pacino still performs theater work and has also dabbled in directing. While The Local Stigmatic remains unreleased, his theatrical feature Looking for Richard and his film festival-screened Chinese Coffee earned good notices. Several characters essayed by Pacino are famous in popular culture. On the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains, he is only the second actor to have three appearances on both lists: on the heroes as Frank Serpico and on the villains list as Tony Montana and Michael Corleone.

With takings comparatively quiet at the box-office of late, Pacino looks like stepping up a gear in 2007 with several new projects. He will star in Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean's Thirteen, alongside George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Andy Garcia.

Also scheduled for release is Rififi, a remake of the 1955 French original based on the novel by Auguste Le Breton. Pacino plays a career thief just out of prison who finds his wife has left him and so in his anger starts planning a heist.

On October 20, 2006, the American Film Institute announced that Pacino would be the recipient of the 35th AFI Life Achievement Award.

Al Pacino's Career in the 1990's

2006-10-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

Pacino received an Oscar nomination as Big Boy Caprice in the box office hit Dick Tracy followed by his return to his most famous role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part III. He would finally later win an Oscar, for Best Actor, for his portrayal of the depressed, irascible, retired and blind Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Martin Brest's Scent of a Woman (1992). That same year, he was also up for the supporting award for his role in Glengarry Glen Ross, making Pacino the first male actor ever to receive two acting nominations for two different movies in the same year, and the first actor of either gender to achieve that feat and then win for the lead role. (Jamie Foxx did the same in 2005.) Pacino has since turned in acclaimed performances in such crime thrillers as Carlito's Way, Heat, and Insomnia, the crime docudrama Donnie Brasco, the multi-Oscar nominated The Insider, the supernatural drama The Devil's Advocate, and others.

Pacino as Vincent Hanna in Heat.

In 1995, Pacino starred in Michael Mann's Heat, in which he and fellow film icon Robert De Niro appeared on screen together for the first time (though both Pacino and De Niro starred in The Godfather Part II, they didn't share any scenes). The duo drew much attention from fans as both actors have generally been compared throughout their careers.

Pacino has not received another nomination from the Academy since Scent of a Woman, but has won two Golden Globes since the turn of the 21st century, the first being the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion picture, and the second for his role in the highly praised HBO miniseries Angels in America.

Pacino has turned down a number of key roles in his career, including that of Han Solo in Star Wars, Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now, Richard Sherman in a remake of The Seven Year Itch (which was never filmed) and Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman. In 1996, Pacino was set to play General Manuel Noriega in a major biographical motion picture when director Oliver Stone pulled the plug on production to focus on the movie Nixon. Later on, he recieved his own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Al Pacino's Career in the 1980's

2006-10-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

Pacino's career slumped in the early 1980s and his appearances in the controversial Cruising and the comedy-drama Author! Author! were critically panned. 1983's Scarface later proved to be both a career highlight and a defining role. When the film was first released, it too was hammered critically but it did perform well at the box office grossing $44 million domestically. However, it did earn Pacino a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as a Cuban drug lord who (among other things) cries out the now famous line, punctuated by a grenade launcher blast, "You wanna play rough? Okay! Say hello to my little friend!". (The film was a loose remake of Howard Hawks 1932 original, which starred Paul Muni) It wasn't until almost 20 years later, that Scarface began to find its success when a new generation embraced the film. That newly found recognition, however, had more to do with the film's attitude than with any acknowledgment of cinematic excellence. Nevertheless, the role and film succeeded in elevating Pacino to iconic status, a place of popularity which continues to benefit from the mega marketing blitz of product, from T-Shirts, to action figures, to hip-hop emulations, among plenty of other marketing ploys.

1985's Revolution continued Pacino's string of commercial and critical failures, and he returned to stage work for four years. He mounted workshop productions of Crystal Clear, National Anthems and other plays; appeared in Julius Caesar in 1988 for producer Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival; and worked on his most personal project, The Local Stigmatic, a play he had starred in Off Broadway in 1969, then remounted in 1985 with director David Wheeler and the Theater Company of Boston in order to film a 50-minute movie version unreleased as of 2005.

Pacino remarked on his hiatus from film: "I remember back when everything was happening, '74, '75, doing The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui on stage and reading that the reason I'd gone back to the stage was that my movie career was waning! That's been the kind of ethos, the way in which theater's perceived, unfortunately."

Pacino returned in 1989's Sea of Love.

Al Pacino's Biography and Early Life

2006-10-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

Pacino was born in the Manhattan area of New York to Italian-American parents Salvatore Pacino (who was born in the Sicilian town of Corleone) and Rose Gerard (the daughter of an Italian-born father and a New York-born mother of Italian descent). His parents divorced while Pacino was two years old. After the divorce, Al and his mother moved to The Bronx, New York to live with his grandparents. His grandparents originated from Corleone, Sicily. His father Salvatore moved to Covina, California, working as an insurance salesman and owner of his own restaurant called Pacino's Lounge. Tough times forced the closure of Pacino's in the early 1990s; it's now called Citrus Grill. Salvatore passed away on January 1, 2005 at the age of 82.