
Al Pacino (real name Alfredo James Pacino) was born on April 25, 1940, in South Bronx, New York. He was a famous American film actor.
Biography and Career :
His parents, Salvatore and Rose got divorced when he was little and he moved out into his grandparents house.
His first step into his career was his delight of playing parts in some scenes at school. He got poored and it was a financial difficulty for him to manage to take classes at the Actors Studio where he entered in 1966. His teacher was Lee Strasberg.
His debut on the stage was the play "The Indian Wants the Bronx", when Al Pacino won an Obie price. This price leads to another one "Tony" with the play "Does the Tiger Wear a Necktie?".
In 1969 Al Pacino gets a part in the film "Me, Natalie", followed by "Pa
nic in Needle Park" in 1971. The following film changes his life and career. The part of Michael Corleone in "The Godfather"(1972) was one of the most impressive in the history of movie. Francis Ford Coppola had been greatly inspired when choosing Al Pacino instead of Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Ryan O'Neal or Robert De Niro. The following years, Al Pacino shows he is a real talent and the movies he stars in are full of success.
We may remind high quality films like: "Serpico" (1973) and "The Afternoon of a Dog" (1975). Al Pacino was nominated three years in succession for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Other remarkable films he starred in were "Scarface" (1993), "The Revolution" (1988)-which was considered to be the worst film ever. This failure made him retire for 4 years and go to the theatre, his former love.
He gave up theatre and returned in 1989 on the big screen with "The tea of Love" and then with "The Godfather III". He received a part as a comedian in "Dick Tracy" (1990), being nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and in 1992 another nominee came together with Glengarry Glen Ross.
He entered the romantic sphere with "Frankie and Johnny" in 1991. In 1992 he won , finally, the Academy Award for Best Actor in "Scent Of a Woman". We may say that the part could have been written only for Al Pacino, because it has stayed a classical one in the history of cinema.
After "Carlito's Way" (1993) and "The Heat" (1995), Al Pacino returned on directing movies like : "Looking for Richard" (1996), "City Hall" (1996), "Donnie Brasco" (1997), "The Devils Advocate" (1997).
"The Insider" (1999) and "Any Given Sunday" (1999) were real performances for his long successful career.
Quotes :
- "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."
- "I'm an actor, not a star. Stars are people who live in Hollywood and have heart-shaped swimming pools."
- "My first language was shy. It's only by having been thrust into the limelight that I have learned to cope with my shyness."
- "No one ever asked me to play Hamlet. I don't think I'm right for the part, but it would have been nice to be asked."
- "The actor becomes an emotional athlete. The process is painful--my personal life suffers."
Trivia :
- His nickname was Sonny.
- Height : 5' 7" (1.70 m)
- He was arrested in January 1961, charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
- He has a daughter, named Julie Marie, with acting teacher Jan Tarrant.
- He dropped out of school at the age of 17.
- His grandparents originate from Corleone, Sicily.
- He was voted the 41st Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly.
Filmography :
- Rififi (2007)
- Heat (2007) (VG)
- Torch (2007) (announced)
- Ocean's Thirteen (2007)
- 88 Minutes (2007) (completed)
- Two for the Money (2005)
- The Merchant of Venice (2004)
- "Angels in America" (2003) (mini) TV Series
- Gigli (2003)
- The Recruit (2003)
- People I Know (2002)
- S1m0ne (2002)
- Insomnia (2002/I)
- Francis Coppola's Notebook (2001) (V)
- Chinese Coffee (2000)
- Any Given Sunday (1999)
- The Insider (1999)
- The Devil's Advocate (1997)
- Donnie Brasco (1997)
- City Hall (1996)
- Heat (1995)
- Two Bits (1995)
- Carlito's Way (1993)
- Scent of a Woman (1992)
- Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
- The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (V)
- Frankie and Johnny (1991)
- The Godfather: Part III (1990)
- Dick Tracy (1990)
- The Local Stigmatic (1990)
- Sea of Love (1989)
- Revolution (1985)
- Scarface (1983)
- Author! Author! (1982)
- Cruising (1980)
- ...And Justice for All (1979)
- "The Godfather Saga" (1977) (mini) TV Series
- Bobby Deerfield (1977)
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
- The Godfather: Part II (1974)
- Serpico (1973)
- Scarecrow (1973)
- The Godfather (1972)
- The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
- Out of It (1969)
- Me, Natalie (1969)
- "N.Y.P.D." (1 episode, 1968)
Al Pacino Image : monesi.com