Al Pacino was so anxious about the possibility of being fired from The Godfather that he secretly hoped his injury on set would provide an opportunity to exit the film.
Despite ultimately earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on the studio executives’ doubts about his suitability for the role in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir Sonny Boy.
‘The rumor had got out around the set that I was going to be let go from the picture,’ he wrote, in an excerpt from The Guardian. ‘There was a discomfort among people, even the crew, when I was working. I was very conscious of that.’
However, after he broke his ankle while filming a scene which saw him attempting 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 gonna get out of this film,’ 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 injury on set would provide an opportunity to exit the film; (pictured March)
Despite ultimately earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on the 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 set of The Godfather)
He echoed the sentiment in a preview clip from Monday’s episode of the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast.
‘My ankle was hurt, somehow it slipped,’ he told host Conan. ‘So I was just looking up at the sky and I said, “Thank you, God.”‘
‘This was my thought. I actually said, “Thank you, God. You’re gonna get me out of this film.” That’s how much I wanted to leave it. I said, “This is from heaven.”‘
Despite the doubts, Pacino stayed on 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 remarkable success at the box office and garnered critical acclaim.
The film secured 10 Academy Award nominations, winning three prestigious Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Currently, Pacino is gearing up for his next role as King Lear in a Shakespearean production, having recently been seen in Los Angeles sporting royal attire.
Alongside his theatrical endeavors, he celebrated the 30th birthday of his ex-girlfriend Noor Alfallah 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 he broke his ankle while attempting to jump over a car in the film, Pacino felt a wave of relief at the prospect of being released from the project
‘The rumor had got out around the set that I was going to be let go from the picture,” he wrote in Sonny Boy
He also shares fraternal twins Anton and Olivia, who are 23, with Emmy nominee Beverly D’Angelo.
Though he has never tied the knot, Pacino’s romantic history includes high-profile relationships with several actresses, such as Diane Keaton, Jill Clayburgh, Penelope Ann Miller, and Kathleen Quinlan.
On Tuesday, Penguin Press will release Sonny Boy, Pacino’s first memoir, which he will narrate for both the ebook 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 earned two Tony Awards, an Oscar, and two Emmys throughout his illustrious career spanning from 1969 to 2004.