When it comes to actors, there are those who are known for their roles and those who are known for themselves. Al Pacino is one of the latter. With more than 150 acting credits on his resume and an Oscar in his trophy case, Pacino has been a staple of Hollywood since he hit the screen in 1968. Since then, he’s played everything from a mobster to a blind man to several other roles.
A Short Biography of Al Pacino
Al Pacino was born Alfredo James Pacino on April 25, 1940, in New York City, to an Italian-American family of Sicilian descent. His mother, Rose (Bogdanovich), a former radio actress, was originally from Nebraska, having been born with the surname Beckett, while his father, Salvatore Pacino, was an actor and waiter who worked at a restaurant called Hunt’s Luncheonette.
In his early teens, Pacino developed a passion for acting as a way to escape from what he found to be a rather dull existence. After high school, he enrolled in New York University’s drama program, where he studied under Martin Erlichman. He also studied acting under Jack Garfein at HB Studio.
Al Pacino is considered one of the most talented actors of all time. He has been nominated for an Academy Award nine times and won a Golden Globe Award for his role in the movie “Scent of a Woman.” He also has won three Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role, one BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie.
Al Pacino – The Modern-day Shakespeare
While there is evidence that says The Godfather was influenced by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is probably true to some extent. The two stories have many elements in common, such as murder, plotting, vengeance, and violence. They also both revolve around powerful families and the pursuit of power. In the end, The Godfather is a classic tragedy.
The Godfather has a reputation for being one of the most re-watchable films, and it is likely that most Americans over the age of eighteen have heard of it. Its story of Michael’s fall from power is reminiscent of Shakespearean tragedies.
Shakespeare’s plays and The Godfather, widely considered two of the best works in their respective genres, will always be known by English speakers and readers.
The Impact of Al Pacino’s Movies on Pop Culture
1. The Godfather
Al Pacino’s performance as the young Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather has been called “the greatest acting performance ever captured on film” by many critics. It is one of the most iconic roles in movie history and helped propel Pacino to stardom.
The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, was released in 1972. It is considered one of the greatest movies ever made and has hugely impacted pop culture.
This film was based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel The Godfather, which tells the story of the Corleone family and its criminal empire in New York City. The movie follows Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), who becomes the head of the Corleone family after his father dies. He must deal with threats from other gangs while also trying to keep his family together. The movie also shows how Michael (Al Pacino) becomes involved in the family business after college and eventually takes over as Don after his brother Sonny dies.
In addition to his acting, Pacino is also known for his off-screen antics and temper tantrums. After he received several death threats from Italian-American organizations who felt that his portrayal of Michael Corleone was too sympathetic, he had a bodyguard follow him around at all times for protection. He also got into an infamous fight with director Alan J. Pakula during filming for Scarecrow (1973).
2. Scarface
It comes as no surprise that his iconic role in “Scarface” has had an impact on pop culture. In fact, many people may not realize how much they have been impacted by this film until they consider how many phrases and sayings from the movie have become part of our everyday vocabulary. For example, when you hear someone say, “Say hello to my little friend!” or “I always tell the truth even when lying,” chances are good that you will recognize these phrases as being from “Scarface.”
While these are just two examples, many other phrases and sayings from the film have become part of our everyday lives. There are also several other movies based on this movie; however, none can compare with the original work itself.
The movie is about a man named Tony Montana who comes from Cuba to America with nothing but his ambition and willingness to work hard. He quickly rises through the ranks of organized crime and becomes one of the most powerful men in Miami. The movie became a cult classic and is still popular today.
The film has withstood the test of time, remaining watchable even though it was made over 30 years ago. Al Pacino’s performance as Michael Corleone was a defining moment in his career and helped establish him as a movie star.
3. The Godfather: Part II
When comparing the original and sequel, more often than not, the first is generally considered superior. However, in the case of The Godfather: Part II, while many critics preferred the first, they all agreed that the sequel was excellent in its own way.
This film is a sequel and prequel to the original “The Godfather,” with an emphasis on both the earlier years of Vito (Robert De Niro) and Al Pacino’s Michael. After surviving an assassination attempt ordered by his brother, Michael attempts to reassert control over the family business and protect it from further harm.
4. Carlito’s Way
In 1993, Al Pacino starred in Carlito’s Way opposite Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller. This film was based on Edwin Torres’ novel Don’t Bump the Glump! It followed the story of a Puerto Rican criminal who struggles to leave his past behind while trying to build a new life away from New York City’s underworld.
5. Serpico
Al Pacino’s portrayal of Frank Serpico in Sidney Lumet’s 1973 film “Serpico” has had a lasting impact on the world of pop culture. The film was based on the true story of a real-life NYPD officer who was shot in the face by fellow officers after refusing to take bribes. It was nominated for three Academy Awards and won two, including one for Pacino’s performance as Frank Serpico.
6. Dog Day Afternoon
The movie “Dog Day Afternoon” is a classic that has had a lasting impact on pop culture and American society. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film was based on real events that took place in New York City in 1972. The main characters are Sonny (Al Pacino) and Sal (John Cazale), who attempt to rob a bank in order to pay for his partner Leon’s sex reassignment surgery. When things go wrong, they take hostages and negotiate with the police.
The film also changed how society views people with mental illness and addiction issues. The two main characters were both suffering from addiction and mental health issues but were still portrayed as normal human beings who deserved respect and understanding from others around them. This was especially important at the time when there was little awareness about these issues in society or even within families themselves.
7. Scent of a Woman
The 1992 film Scent of a Woman, starring Al Pacino, was well received and earned Pacino a Golden Globe Award as well as an Academy Award for his role as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, an irascible and medically retired Army officer. It is widely regarded that Pacino’s performance in this film is one of the best of his career.
Conclusion
To this day, Al Pacino’s characters from his movies have left a lasting impact on popular culture. This is mostly due to the fact that most of his characters are complex and intriguing. They reflect conflicting emotions, which is why there are often so many discussions about the roles he played in his films.
While his career has waned in recent years, he will always be remembered and respected by critics, actors, and other moviemakers because his contribution to the film industry is unparalleled and undisputed.