25 Apr , 22:52
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On April 25, legendary Hollywood actor, film director, and producer Al Pacino celebrates his 85th birthday. The star of iconic films "The Godfather," "Scarface," "Scent of a Woman" not only became a father at 83 but also continues to actively conquer the film industry.
As reported by TUT.AZ, difficult childhood, passion for Russian dramaturgy, iconic roles, and tumultuous personal life – all this in a special feature by TUT.AZ.
What helped Al Pacino quit drugs
Alfredo James Pacino was born in New York's Harlem to descendants of Italian immigrants, Salvatore and Rose Pacino. When the boy turned two, his parents divorced. After the separation, the future movie star's mother moved with her four children to her mother's home in the South Bronx.
In the 1940s, this area was considered one of the most dangerous in New York due to high levels of poverty and crime. Until the age of seven, Alfredo didn't leave home without supervision. Despite this, his mother regularly took him to the cinema. The boy was passionate about baseball and dreamed of connecting his life with it. Even then, peers nicknamed young Al Pacino "The Actor" for his outstanding ability to transform.
At the age of nine, he tried cigarettes for the first time, and by 13, he began drinking and experimenting with light drugs. Only the tragic death of two friends from overdose forced the young man to completely give up prohibited substances.
A pivotal moment came when 14-year-old Al Pacino attended a performance of "The Seagull" by Anton Chekhov, performed by a troupe of traveling artists at a Bronx cinema. It was then that he decided to connect his life with the acting profession. Initially, the young man got by with odd jobs – shining shoes, working as a waiter, janitor, and attendant. In the evenings, he eagerly read works by Fyodor Dostoevsky, William Shakespeare, Honoré de Balzac, and Henry Miller.
In the 1960s, Al Pacino went through a difficult period – his mother and grandfather died. The young man began to abuse alcohol and even lived on the street for some time. However, in 1966, he managed to enroll in the prestigious Lee Strasberg Actors Studio, which worked according to the Stanislavski method. Stars such as James Dean, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Meryl Streep also studied at this studio.
After graduating from the studio, Al Pacino began his theatrical career. In 1969, he received the prestigious "Tony" award (the theatrical equivalent of the "Oscar") for his role in the Broadway production "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?".
Even after becoming a world cinema star, Al Pacino never stopped performing in theater. By his own admission, theater is not just discipline but a way to maintain sharpness of feelings and professional honesty.
