Alfred James Pacino, better known as Al Pacino, was born on April 25, 1940, in East Harlem, New York City, to Italian-American parents. He is known for his work as an American actor and filmmaker. He is most famously known for his acting work that has spanned five decades, he has received numerous awards and is best known for his films such as “The Godfather” trilogy, “Scent of a Woman,” “The Irishman,” “Scarface,” and his latest role as Aldo Gucci in the 2021 film “House of Gucci” with Lady Gaga.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Alfred James Pacino
Nickname:
Sonny, The Actor
Birth date:
April 25, 1940
Age:
84 years
Zodiac Sign:
Taurus
Height:
5' 6"
Relationship Status:
Single
Net Worth:
$120.0 million
Background
Alfredo James Pacino, more commonly known as Al Pacino, was born in East Harlem, New York City April 25, 1940. His parents, Rose Gerardi and Salvatore Pacino, are of Italian-American descent. Pacino’s parents divorced when he was two years old, and he moved to the Bronx to live with his mother and her parents, who were Italian immigrants from Sicily. Pacino’s father later worked as an insurance salesman and restaurateur in Covina, California.As a young child, Pacino was given the nickname ‘Sonny’ by his friends, and he had ambitions to become a baseball player. In his early years, he attended the Herman Ridder Junior High School but dropped his classes, except for English, due to a lack of interest. He then attended the High School of Performing Arts after an audition. He left home as his mother did not agree with this choice and to finance his acting studies, Pacino took small jobs on the side to support himself and his acting career. Growing up in the Bronx, Pacino would get into occasional fights and was considered a troublemaker. He even began smoking and drinking at the age of nine.Pacino came to Greenwich Village when he was 19 years old, where he studied acting at the Berghof Studio, and appeared in various Off-Broadway shows, including “Hello, Out There” in 1963 and “Why is a Crooked Lekker” in 1966. He also started studying acting under Lee Strasberg. In 1969, he made his Broadway debut in the play “Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?” for which he received a Tony Award for his performance. Pacino acted in basement plays in the New York theatrical underground until he joined HB Studio. After four years at HB Studio, Pacino successfully auditioned for the Actors Studio — a membership organization for professional actors. Pacino reprised his role as Michael Corleone in “The Godfather Part III” in 1990 —establishing himself as the major film star we still know and love today.
Career timeline
Pacino is nominated for but doesn't win the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for the role of Michael Corleone in “The Godfather.”
Pacino is nominated and wins the award for ‘Best Film Actor in a Leading Role’ for his role in “The Godfather Part II.”
Pacino is nominated for an Academy Award seven times before he eventually wins the award for ‘Best Actor’ for his role as Frank Slade in the film, “Scent of a Woman.”
He makes his debut in filmmaking with “Looking for Richard,” which he directs and stars in.
Pacino plays the role of Michael Corleone in “The Godfather”— this film brings him wide acclaim and recognition.
Pacino — at the age of 80 — plays the role of Aldo Gucci in the film “House of Gucci” alongside Lady Gaga.
Al Pacino FAQs
Are Al Pacino and Robert De Niro friends?
De Niro and Al Pacino first met back in the late 1960s when they were both starting out as actors — their friendship has been going strong ever since.
How old was Pacino in “The Godfather Part III”?
Pacino was 52 at the time of the film’s release and had to be aged to play Corleone.
What are Al Pacino's best films?
Some of his best films include, “Scarface,” “The Irishman,” “The Godfather Part II,” “The Godfather,” “Carlito’s Way,” “Scent of a Woman,” and “Dog Day Afternoon.”
5 Surprising Facts
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He was nominated seven times
Pacino was nominated for an Oscar for a total of seven films before finally winning his first one for the role of Frank Slade in the film “Scent of a Woman.”
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He had his first child at 50
Pacino’s first child, Julie Marie, was born merely six months before he turned 50.
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Pacino has been to jail
He was arrested by police officers who discovered a weapon in his car, and was jailed for three days before the officers realized the weapon was actually a stage prop.
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Pacino has never been married
Although Pacino has never been married, he’s had quite a few relationships in the past, all with very famous and beautiful women including Lyndall Hobbs, Penelope Ann Miller, Beverly D’Angelo, and Meital Dohan.
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Pacino worked as a janitor
Pacino took up a lot of odd jobs, including a janitor, as a means to pay for his acting classes when he was a young actor.
Why We Love Al Pacino
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His commitment to acting
Pacino likes to joke around and have fun on set. However, he fully commits himself to his roles and it’s certainly paid off.
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He loves Shakespeare
Pacino notes how he chooses to go big in a lot of his roles, and this is due to his love of Shakespeare. Check out the film “Frankie and Johnny” where he plays the greatest poet who ever lived.
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His sense of humor
Pacino’s humor isn’t restricted to his roles. He demonstrates a great sense of humor in his everyday life.
Al Pacino’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 25 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | April 25 | Thursday |
| 2025 | April 25 | Friday |
| 2026 | April 25 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April 25 | Sunday |
