Al Pacino was so anxious about the possibility of being fired from The Godfather that he secretly hoped his on-set injury would give him the opportunity to exit the film.
Even though he ultimately earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on studio executives’ doubts about his suitability for the role in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir , Sonny Boy.
“There was a rumor on the set that I was going to be fired from the film,” he wrote, in an excerpt from the guardian. ‘There was unrest among people, even among the team, when I was working. I was very aware of that.”
However, after breaking his ankle while filming a scene in which he attempted to jump into a moving car, Pacino felt a wave of relief at the prospect of being released from the project.
“Thank you, God, I’m getting out of this movie,” he told Ben Mankiewicz during a rare interview on CBS Sunday morning.
Al Pacino was so anxious about the possibility of being fired from The Godfather that he secretly hoped his on-set injury would provide him with the opportunity to exit the film; (pictured from March)
Despite ultimately earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on studio executives’ doubts about his suitability for the role in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir, Sonny Boy; (Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, John Cazale on the set of The Godfather)
He echoed the sentiment in a preview clip from Monday’s episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. podcast.
“I hurt my ankle and it slipped somehow,” he told host Conan. ‘So I was looking up at the sky and I said, “Thank you, God.”‘
‘This was my thought. I actually said, “Thank you, God. You’re going to take me out of this movie.” I wanted to leave him so much. I said, “This is from heaven.”
Despite the doubts, Pacino continued with the cast and the influence of The Godfather on cinema is undeniable.
Often celebrated as one of the greatest films ever made, it achieved notable success at the box office and garnered critical acclaim.
The film earned 10 Academy Award nominations and won three prestigious Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Pacino is currently preparing for his next role as King Lear in a Shakespeare production, having recently been spotted in Los Angeles sporting royal attire.
Parallel to his theater activities, he celebrated his ex-girlfriend Noor Alfallah’s 30th birthday at a glamorous gathering.
An Instagram video from the event captures the former couple, who welcomed their son, Roman, in 2023, sharing a tender moment as the Oscar-winning actor helped Noor blow out the candles on her birthday cake.
In addition to Roman, Pacino has a 35-year-old daughter, Julie, from his relationship with acting coach Jan Tarrant.
However, after breaking his ankle attempting to jump over a car in the film, Pacino felt a wave of relief at the prospect of being released from the project.
“A rumor had spread around the set that I was going to be fired from the film,” he wrote in Sonny Boy.
He also shares twins Anton and Olivia, 23, with Emmy nominee Beverly D’Angelo.
Although he has never married, Pacino’s romantic history includes high-profile relationships with several actresses, including Diane Keaton, Jill Clayburgh, Penelope Ann Miller and Kathleen Quinlan.
On Tuesday, Penguin Press will publish Sonny Boy, Pacino’s first memoir, which he will narrate in both e-book and audiobook versions, an effort that could lead to a Grammy Award.
The iconic actor is just one Grammy away from achieving EGOT status, having already won two Tony Awards, an Oscar and two Emmy Awards throughout his illustrious career spanning from 1969 to 2004.
