Actor Al Pacino has played some of the most iconic characters in film over the past five decades. He has played Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” movies, Tony Montana in “Scarface,” Frank Slade in “Scent of a Woman," Sonny Wortzik in “Dog Day Afternoon,” Frank Serpico in “Serpico” and Jimmy Hoffa in “The Irishman."
Alfredo James Pacino turned 80 Saturday. Here are some things to know about his career.
Coincidental birthplaces: Pacino was born in the Bronx, but his maternal grandparents, John and Kate Gerardi, came to New York City from the Sicilian town of Corleone -- the city where Vito Corleone, the fictional character in “The Godfather,” was born.
Inauspicious start: Pacino’s first on-screen acting appearance came during a 1968 episode of the television police drama, “N.Y.P.D." according to Parade.
Memorable movie quote: “There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” -- from “The Godfather Part II.”
Oscars: Pacino has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, but only won once, for his role as the blind, angry former soldier Frank Slade in “Scent of a Woman.” To play the role of Slade, Pacino spent time with students at a school for the blind.
Memorable movie quote, part 2: “Is there any special country you wanna go to?” Sonny asks Sal Naturale, played by John Cazale.
“Wyoming,” Sal says.
“Sal, Wyoming’s not a country.”
Acting mentor: Pacino was accepted at the Actors Studio in 1966. He studied under Lee Strasburg, who would play the treacherous Hyman Roth in “The Godfather: Part II.”
Memorable movie quote, part 3: “You wanna play rough? OK. Say hello to my little friend.” -- Pacino wielding a machine gun as Tony Montana in “Scarface."
Unknown wins big role: Pacino got the role as Michael Corleone over more famous actors such as Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford and Warren Beatty. Director Francis Ford Coppola stuck with Pacino despite calls for his firing by some studio executives.
Roles he rejected: Pacino turned down some memorable roles, including Ted Kramer in “Kramer vs. Kramer,” Roy Neary in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and Han Solo in “Star Wars.” Pacino lost the lead role in the hockey classic “Slap Shot” to Paul Newman because he could not skate on ice.
Memorable movie quote, part 4: “Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in.” -- from “The Godfather: Part III.”
Cox Media Group
