Al Pacino was so worried about the prospect of being fired from The Godfather that he secretly hoped his injury on set would give him an opportunity to get out of the film.
Despite an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflects studio executives' skepticism from his part. Memories to come Sunny Boy.
'There was a rumor on set that I was going to be let go from the film,' he wrote. The Guardian. 'When I was working there was an uneasiness among people, even among the crew. I felt it very much.'
However, Pacino felt waves of relief at the prospect of being released from the project after breaking his ankle while filming a scene in which he attempted to jump into a moving car.
'Thank God, I'm going to walk out of this movie,' he told Ben Mankiewicz during a rare interview. CBS Sunday Morning.
Al Pacino was so anxious about the possibility of being fired from The Godfather that he secretly hoped that an injury he sustained on set would provide him with an opportunity to leave the film; (Image March)
Despite an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on studio executives' misgivings in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir, Sonny Boy; (Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, John Casale on the set of The Godfather)
He echoed that sentiment in a preview clip for Monday's episode of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. Podcast.
'I injured my ankle and somehow it slipped,' she told host Conan. So I was looking at the sky and I said, “Thank you, God.”
'This is my thought. I literally said, “Thank you, God. You're going to get me out of this movie.” That's all I wanted to leave it at. I said, “This is from heaven.”
Despite doubts, Pacino stayed with the cast, and The Godfather's impact on cinema is undeniable.
Hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, it was a notable success at the box office and received critical acclaim.
The film received 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 Shakespeare production and was recently spotted out and about in Los Angeles in royal attire.
Along with his theatrical endeavors, he celebrated his ex-girlfriend Noor Alballa's 30th birthday in a glamorous gathering.
In an Instagram video from the event, the former couple—who welcomed their son Roman in 2023—share a tender moment as the Oscar-winning actor helps blow out the candles on Noor's birthday cake.
Besides Roman, Pacino has a daughter, Julie, 35, from her relationship with acting coach John Tarrant.
However, after breaking his ankle while trying to jump on a car in the film, Pacino felt waves of relief at the prospect of being released from the project.
'There was a rumor on the set that I was going to be let go from the film,' he wrote in Soni Boy.
He also shares 23-year-old fraternal twins Anton and Olivia with Emmy nominee Beverly D'Angelo.
Although he never married, Pacino's romantic history includes high-profile relationships with actresses such as 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 for both e-book and audiobook editions — which could lead to a Grammy Award.
Already earning two Tony Awards, an Oscar and two Emmys during his illustrious career spanning 1969 to 2004, he's just one Grammy away from achieving EGOT status.
