One of the most celebrated actors in cinematic history, Al Pacino established himself during one of film’s greatest decades, the 1970s, and has since become an enduring and iconic figure in the world of American movies.
Born in the Bronx on April 25, 1940, Pacino’s love for acting developed at an early age. He was accepted into the prestigious Actors Studio in 1966 and studied under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg who was known for advocating “method acting,” an approach that was becoming increasingly popular at the time.
Beginning his career on stage, Pacino’s big break came in The Indian Wants the Bronx, for which he won an Obie Award, an honor quickly followed by a Tony Award for Does the Tiger Wear a Necktie?
Pacino’s early feature films such as The Panic in Needle Park and Me, Natalie made little departure from the gritty and realistic stage performances that earned him respect. However, it was his turn as “Michael Corleone” in The Godfather that changed his life forever. One of the most sought-after roles of the time period, director Francis Ford Coppola had his heart set on the unknown Italian Pacino from the start. Widely regarded as one of the best films ever, The Godfather earned Pacino his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Pacino solidified his reputation as one of Hollywood’s best dramatic actors by taking roles in tough but important films, such as the true-life crime drama Serpico and the tragic real-life bank robbery film Dog Day Afternoon.
Nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for three consecutive years, he cemented his acting presence as the iconic “Tony Montana” in the cult hit Scarface.
Following a sabbatical from the silver screen, Pacino entered the second phase of his career by garnering rave reviews and an Academy Award nomination in the colorful action comedy Dick Tracy; two years later he was nominated for Glengarry Glen Ross.
After taking on a romantic role in Frankie and Johnny, Pacino’s career came to a climax in 1992 with his first Academy Award victory, winning Best Actor for Scent of a Woman. A mixture of technical perfection and natural charisma, the role was tailor-made for him, and the film remains a classic.
The next few years saw Pacino further expanding his distinguished resume with the likes of Carlito's Way and the epic crime drama Heat, which was directed by Michael Mann and featured Pacino starring alongside his legendary contemporary Robert De Niro for the first time.
Reteaming with Mann and then Oliver Stone, he gave two commanding performances in The Insider and Any Given Sunday. Other acclaimed roles came in such films as City Hall, Donnie Brasco and The Devil’s Advocate.
Pacino made his directorial debut with the documentary Looking for Richard, for which he won a Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Documentary.
A true original in the acting profession, Pacino’s talent has inspired countless actors and wowed film fans and critics alike. His commitment to acting as a profession and the passion he devotes to his craft have established him as one of cinema’s true legends.
