- He has had an interest in acting since he was very young, when he was 3 years old he would act out scenes to his grandfather that he had recently seen in movies.
- Participated in school plays, and was voted most likely to succeed, by his peers for his acting abilities.
- Struggled with academics though, he dropped out of the High School of Performing Arts in New York at age 17 to pursue an acting career.
- He left home at age 17 to pursue his acting career, and struggled to stay out of poverty over the next ten years.
- Had to pick up many different jobs when he was still 17 years old to make money, including theater usher and janitor.
- Pacino was arrested in 1961 for carrying a concealed weapon.
- Around 1961 he was also honing his acting skills by taking classes at Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio, he would later work with Strasberg in the GODFATHER films.
- His mother died when he was 22 years old.
- Said that he enjoys theater work more than acting in movies.
- Francis Ford Coppola learned of Pacino through his role in THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK, and he was soon cast in THE GODFATHER and on his way to superstardom.
- One of the more interesting movie mishaps occurred in THE GODFATHER, in the scene after Michael shoots McCluskey and Sollozzo Pacino jumps from the sidewalk into the getaway car, but he actually miscalculated the leap in real life, twisting his ankle and straining a ligament.
- Was paid only $40,000 for his role in THE GODFATHER.
- His youth nickname was Sonny, he later did DOG DAY AFTERNOON with the name Sonny.
- His huge success in the mid-seventies went sour with a string of mostly commercial failures of 1977-1985 (with the possible exceptions of ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL and SCARFACE).
- Took four years away from movie acting after that before returning in 1989 with SEA OF LOVE.
- He was actually nominated for two Oscars in the same year (1992), one for SCENT OF A WOMAN and the other for GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.
- SCENT OF A WOMAN director Martin Brest gave Pacino the name El Diablo (the devil in Spanish), just like with Sonny he later did THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE as The Devil.
- Pacino was once wore a fake beard and sun glasses at a Yankees game with Beverly D'Angelo, it did not work though as Pacino was easily recognized.
- Nominated for Best Villain at MTV Movie Awards for THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (1998)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1993)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for DICK TRACY (1991)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at BAFTA Awards for DICK TRACY (1991)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for THE GODFATHER: PART III (1991)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for DICK TRACY (1991)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for SEA OF LOVE (1990)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for SCARFACE (1984)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical, AUTHOR! AUTHOR! (1983)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL (1980)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL (1980)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for BOBBY DEERFIELD (1978)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1976)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1976)
- Nominated for Best Actor at BAFTA Awards for SERPICO (1975)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for THE GODFATHER: PART II (1975)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for THE GODFATHER: PART II (1975)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for SERPICO (1974)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for THE GODFATHER (1973)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for THE GODFATHER (1973)
- Nominated for Best Newcomer at BAFTA Awards for THE GODFATHER (1973)
Quotes- "A major mistake was made in GODFATHER III, I think, which was they tried to redeem Michael Corleone. I don't think the audience wanted to see Michael Corleone as someone who is wanting or needing of redemption. It got a bit esoteric. It would have been better if it was done in a more subtle way."
- "It's wonderful to be here. I love London so this is a real treat for me. "
- The actor becomes an emotional athlete. The process is painful-my personal life suffers."
Awards- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television, ANGELS IN AMERICA (2004)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, ANGELS IN AMERICA (2004)
- Film Society of Lincoln Center: Gala Tribute (2000)
- Golden Globe Awards: Cecil B.DeMille Award (2000)
- Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Actor, DONNIE BRASCO (1997)
- Directors Guild of America: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary, LOOKING FOR RICHARD (1997)
- Gotham Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award (1996)
- San Sebastián International Film Festival: Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award (1996)
- Venice Film Festival: Career Golden Lion (1994)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, SCENT OF A WOMAN (1993)
- Valladolid International Film Festival: Best Actor, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1992)
- Academy Awards: Best Actor, SCENT OF A WOMAN (1992)
- Boston Film Festival: Film Excellence Award (1992)
- American Comedy Awards: Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, DICK TRACY (1991)
- Tony Awards: Best Actor in a Play, THE BASIC TRAINING OF PAVLO HUMMEL (1977)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Actor, DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1976)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Actor, THE GODFATHER: PART II (1976)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975)
- San Sebastián International Film Festival: Prize San Sebastián- Best Actor, DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama, SERPICO (1974)
- National Board of Review Awards: Best Supporting Actor, SERPICO (1973)
- National Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Actor, THE GODFATHER (1973)
- National Board of Review Awards: Best Supporting Actor, THE GODFATHER (1972)
- Drama Desk Awards for DOES A TIGER WEAR A NECKTIE? (1969)
- Theater World Awards for DOES A TIGER WEAR A NECKTIE? (1969)
- Tony Awards: Best Supporting Actor in A Play, DOES A TIGER WEAR A NECKTIE? (1969)
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