Al Pacino | Biography, Movies, Scarface, & Facts

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class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Al-Pacino">Al Pacino</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/biography/Al-Pacino">Introduction</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref339320"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Al-Pacino#ref339320">Early career</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref339321"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Al-Pacino#ref339321">Stardom: <em>The Godfather</em>, <em>Serpico</em>, and <em>Scarface</em></a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref339322"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Al-Pacino#ref339322">Academy Award and later films</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref339323"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Al-Pacino#ref339323">TV and stage work</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Al-Pacino/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Al-Pacino">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Al-Pacino/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/66291-050-C790A630/Al-Pacino-The-Insider-Michael-Mann.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/56682" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/66291-004-360B165E/Al-Pacino-The-Insider-Michael-Mann.jpg" alt="The Insider" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/177313-050-9491CD13/Sidney-Lumet-filming-Al-Pacino-Dog-Day.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/197792" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/177313-004-1C7EBBAE/Sidney-Lumet-filming-Al-Pacino-Dog-Day.jpg" alt="Dog Day Afternoon" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/182592-050-50C32C1F/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/198264" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/182592-004-7CC2CA1A/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" alt="Al Pacino in Scarface" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/196745-050-66D0F975/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/241303" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/196745-004-0869F560/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" alt="Al Pacino in Scarface" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/183259-050-BE5C8D1A/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Steven-Bauer-Brian-De.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/241302" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/183259-004-5AF814BD/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Steven-Bauer-Brian-De.jpg" alt="Scarface" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/77132-050-A6CE2428/Al-Pacino-Gabrielle-Anwar-Scent-of-a.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/71330" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/77132-004-76498C91/Al-Pacino-Gabrielle-Anwar-Scent-of-a.jpg" alt="Scent of a Woman" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-10-27T00:00:00CDT" >Oct 27, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Al-Pacino/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>In full: </dt> <dd>Alfredo James Pacino</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Born: </dt> <dd>April 25, 1940, <a href="/place/New-York-City">New York</a>, <a href="/place/New-York-state">New York</a>, U.S. (age 84)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also Known As: </dt> <dd>Alfredo James Pacino</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Awards And Honors: </dt> <dd><a href="/art/Tony-Awards">Tony Awards</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/Kennedy-Center-Honors">Kennedy Center Honors (2016)</a></dd> <dd><a href="/art/National-Medal-of-Arts">National Medal of Arts (2011)</a></dd> <dd><a href="/art/Cecil-B-DeMille-Award">Cecil B. DeMille Award (2001)</a></dd> <dd>Academy Award (1993): Actor in a Leading Role</dd> <dd>Cecil B. DeMille Award (2001)</dd> <dd>Emmy Award (2010): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie</dd> <dd>Emmy Award (2004): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie</dd> <dd>Golden Globe Award (2011): Best Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television</dd> <dd>Golden Globe Award (2004): Best Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television</dd> <dd>Golden Globe Award (1993): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama</dd> <dd>Golden Globe Award (1974): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama</dd> <dd>Tony Award (1977): Best Actor in a Play</dd> <dd>Tony Award (1969): Best Featured Actor in a Play</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Notable Works: </dt> <dd><a href="/topic/Chinese-Coffee">“Chinese Coffee”</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/Looking-for-Richard">“Looking for Richard”</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In): </dt> <dd>"Hunters" (2020)</dd> <dd>"The Irishman" (2019)</dd> <dd>"Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" (2019)</dd> <dd>"Hangman" (2017)</dd> <dd>"The Pirates of Somalia" (2017)</dd> <dd>"Misconduct" (2016)</dd> <dd>"Danny Collins" (2015)</dd> <dd>"Manglehorn" (2014)</dd> <dd>"The Humbling" (2014)</dd> <dd>"Salomé" (2013)</dd> <dd>"We Are Not Animals" (2013)</dd> <dd>"Stand Up Guys" (2012)</dd> <dd>"Jack and Jill" (2011)</dd> <dd>"The Son of No One" (2011)</dd> <dd>"Righteous Kill" (2008)</dd> <dd>"Ocean's Thirteen" (2007)</dd> <dd>"88 Minutes" (2007)</dd> <dd>"Two for the Money" (2005)</dd> <dd>"The Merchant of Venice" (2004)</dd> <dd>"Angels in America" (2003)</dd> <dd>"Gigli" (2003)</dd> <dd>"The Recruit" (2003)</dd> <dd>"People I Know" (2002)</dd> <dd>"S1m0ne" (2002)</dd> <dd>"Insomnia" (2002)</dd> <dd>"Chinese Coffee" (2000)</dd> <dd>"Any Given Sunday" (1999)</dd> <dd>"The Insider" (1999)</dd> <dd>"The Devil's Advocate" (1997)</dd> <dd>"Donnie Brasco" (1997)</dd> <dd>"City Hall" (1996)</dd> <dd>"Heat" (1995)</dd> <dd>"Two Bits" (1995)</dd> <dd>"Carlito's Way" (1993)</dd> <dd>"Scent of a Woman" (1992)</dd> <dd>"Glengarry Glen Ross" (1992)</dd> <dd>"Frankie and Johnny" (1991)</dd> <dd>"The Godfather: Part III" (1990)</dd> <dd>"Dick Tracy" (1990)</dd> <dd>"The Local Stigmatic" (1990)</dd> <dd>"Sea of Love" (1989)</dd> <dd>"Revolution" (1985)</dd> <dd>"Scarface" (1983)</dd> <dd>"Author! Author!" (1982)</dd> <dd>"Cruising" (1980)</dd> <dd>"And Justice for All" (1979)</dd> <dd>"The Godfather: A Novel for Television" (1977)</dd> <dd>"Bobby Deerfield" (1977)</dd> <dd>"Dog Day Afternoon" (1975)</dd> <dd>"The Godfather: Part II" (1974)</dd> <dd>"Serpico" (1973)</dd> <dd>"Scarecrow" (1973)</dd> <dd>"The Godfather" (1972)</dd> <dd>"The Panic in Needle Park" (1971)</dd> <dd>"Me, Natalie" (1969)</dd> <dd>"N.Y.P.D." (1968)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Movies/Tv Shows (Directed): </dt> <dd>"Salomé" (2013)</dd> <dd>"Wilde Salomé" (2011)</dd> <dd>"Chinese Coffee" (2000)</dd> <dd>"Looking for Richard" (1996)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator): </dt> <dd>"Wilde Salomé" (2011)</dd> <dd>"Looking for Richard" (1996)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Al-Pacino"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref715422"></span>Al Pacino</strong> (born April 25, 1940, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New York</a>, New York, U.S.) is an American actor best known for his intense, explosive <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/acting" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">acting</a> style.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref339320"> <h2 class="h1">Early career</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">After growing up in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Harlem-New-York" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">East Harlem</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bronx-borough-New-York-City" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bronx</a>, Pacino moved at age 19 to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Greenwich-Village" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Greenwich Village</a>, where he studied acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio and appeared in many <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Off-Broadway" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Off-Broadway</a> and out-of-town productions, including <em>Hello, Out There</em> (1963) and <em>Why Is a Crooked Letter</em> (1966). He took further acting lessons from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lee-Strasberg" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lee Strasberg</a> and played a small part in the film <em>Me, Natalie</em> in 1969. The same year, he made his <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Broadway-street-and-district-New-York-City" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Broadway</a> <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="debut" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/debut" data-type="EB">debut</a> and won a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Tony-Awards" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tony Award</a> for his performance in the play <em><span id="ref1275573"></span>Does the Tiger Wear a Necktie?</em> Pacino’s first leading role in a film came with <em><span id="ref1077759"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Panic-in-Needle-Park" class="md-crosslink ">The Panic in Needle Park</a></em> (1971), a grim tale of heroin addiction that became something of a cult classic.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref339321"> <h2 class="h1">Stardom: <em>The Godfather</em>, <em>Serpico</em>, and <em>Scarface</em></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="197792" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/177313-050-9491CD13/Sidney-Lumet-filming-Al-Pacino-Dog-Day.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/714685/197792"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/177313-050-9491CD13/Sidney-Lumet-filming-Al-Pacino-Dog-Day.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/177313-050-9491CD13/Sidney-Lumet-filming-Al-Pacino-Dog-Day.jpg?w=300" alt="Dog Day Afternoon" data-width="1462" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/177313-050-9491CD13/Sidney-Lumet-filming-Al-Pacino-Dog-Day.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/197792"><em>Dog Day Afternoon</em></a><span>Sidney Lumet (center) and Al Pacino (right) during the filming of <em>Dog Day Afternoon</em> (1975).</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Director <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Ford-Coppola" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Francis Ford Coppola</a> cast Pacino in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/motion-picture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">film</a> that would make him a star, <span id="ref715423"></span><em>The Godfather</em> (1972). The saga of a family of gangsters and their fight to maintain power in changing times, <em>The Godfather</em> was a wildly popular film that won the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Academy Award</a> for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award-for-best-picture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">best picture</a> and earned Pacino numerous accolades—including his first of many Oscar nominations—for his intense performance as Michael Corleone, a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/gangster" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">gangster</a>’s son who reluctantly takes over the “family business.” Pacino solidified his standing as one of Hollywood’s most <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="dynamic" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamic" data-type="MW">dynamic</a> stars in his next few films. In <em><span id="ref1077760"></span>Scarecrow</em> (1973), he teamed with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gene-Hackman" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gene Hackman</a> in a bittersweet story about two <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="transients" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transients" data-type="MW">transients</a>, and his roles in <em><span id="ref1077761"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Serpico-film-by-Lumet" class="md-crosslink ">Serpico</a></em> (1973) and <em><span id="ref1077762"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dog-Day-Afternoon" class="md-crosslink ">Dog Day Afternoon</a></em> (1975) displayed Pacino’s characteristic screen qualities of brooding seriousness and explosive rage. He also repeated the role of Michael Corleone for Coppola’s <span id="ref1077763"></span><em>The Godfather, Part II</em> (1974), a film that, like its predecessor, won the best picture Oscar.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/240414-131-1042720D/Casablanca-film.jpg" alt="Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film "Casablanca" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Pacino’s next few films did not fare as well. <em><span id="ref1077764"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bobby-Deerfield" class="md-crosslink ">Bobby Deerfield</a></em> (1977) was notable as his first box-office failure since he had become a star. The dark comedy <em><span id="ref1294408"></span>…And Justice for All</em> (1979) featured some of Pacino’s most memorable scenes, but <em><span id="ref1294407"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cruising" class="md-crosslink ">Cruising</a></em> (1980) and the light comedy <em><span id="ref1294409"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Author-Author-1982-film" class="md-crosslink ">Author! Author!</a></em> (1982) were critical and popular disasters.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="198264" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/182592-050-50C32C1F/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/714685/198264"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/182592-050-50C32C1F/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/182592-050-50C32C1F/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg?w=300" alt="Al Pacino in Scarface" data-width="1600" data-height="1132" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 3</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/182592-050-50C32C1F/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/198264">Al Pacino in <em>Scarface</em></a><span>Al Pacino in <em>Scarface</em> (1983), directed by Brian De Palma.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="241303" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/196745-050-66D0F975/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/714685/241303"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/196745-050-66D0F975/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/196745-050-66D0F975/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg?w=300" alt="Al Pacino in Scarface" data-width="1600" data-height="1068" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 3</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/196745-050-66D0F975/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Brian-De-Palma.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/241303">Al Pacino in <em>Scarface</em></a><span>Al Pacino in <em>Scarface</em> (1983), directed by Brian De Palma.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="241302" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/183259-050-BE5C8D1A/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Steven-Bauer-Brian-De.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/714685/241302"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/183259-050-BE5C8D1A/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Steven-Bauer-Brian-De.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/183259-050-BE5C8D1A/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Steven-Bauer-Brian-De.jpg?w=300" alt="Scarface" data-width="1600" data-height="1053" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">3 of 3</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/183259-050-BE5C8D1A/Al-Pacino-Scarface-Steven-Bauer-Brian-De.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/241302"><em>Scarface</em></a><span>Al Pacino (right) and Steven Bauer in <em>Scarface</em> (1983), directed by Brian De Palma.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Brian-De-Palma" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brian De Palma</a>’s <em><span id="ref1077766"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Scarface" class="md-crosslink ">Scarface</a></em> (1983), Pacino returned to the kind of combustible, high-intensity role that had made him famous. As gangster Tony Montana, Pacino gave a highly charged, unrestrained performance that, although loved by some and deplored by others, ranks among his most unforgettable. His next film, <em><span id="ref1294410"></span>Revolution</em> (1985), was an expensive flop, and Pacino did not appear in another film for four years.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref339322"> <h2 class="h1">Academy Award and later films</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="71330" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/77132-050-A6CE2428/Al-Pacino-Gabrielle-Anwar-Scent-of-a.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/714685/71330"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/77132-050-A6CE2428/Al-Pacino-Gabrielle-Anwar-Scent-of-a.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/77132-050-A6CE2428/Al-Pacino-Gabrielle-Anwar-Scent-of-a.jpg?w=300" alt="Scent of a Woman" data-width="1600" data-height="997" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/77132-050-A6CE2428/Al-Pacino-Gabrielle-Anwar-Scent-of-a.jpg" data-href="/media/1/714685/71330"><em>Scent of a Woman</em></a><span>Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar in <em>Scent of a Woman</em>.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><em><span id="ref1077767"></span>Sea of Love</em> (1989), his biggest hit in years, reestablished Pacino as a major film star. In 1990 he <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="reprised" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprised" data-type="MW">reprised</a> the role of Michael Corleone in <em><span id="ref1294411"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Godfather-Part-III" class="md-crosslink ">The Godfather, Part III</a></em> and gave a hilarious portrayal of grotesque gangster <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Big-Boy-locomotive" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Big Boy</a> <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Caprice" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Caprice" data-type="MW">Caprice</a> in <em><span id="ref1077768"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dick-Tracy-film-by-Beatty" class="md-crosslink ">Dick Tracy</a></em>. <em><span id="ref1294412"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Frankie-and-Johnny-film-by-Marshall" class="md-crosslink ">Frankie and Johnny</a></em> (1991) and <em><span id="ref1294413"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Glengarry-Glen-Ross-film-by-Foley" class="md-crosslink ">Glengarry Glen Ross</a></em> (1992), both <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="adaptations" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptations" data-type="MW">adaptations</a> of plays, continued his string of well-received films, and he won a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award-for-best-actor" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">best actor</a> Oscar for his portrayal of a bitter blind man in <em><span id="ref1077769"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Scent-of-a-Woman" class="md-crosslink ">Scent of a Woman</a></em> (1992). Pacino’s other notable films of the 1990s included <em><span id="ref1294414"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carlitos-Way" class="md-crosslink ">Carlito’s Way</a></em> (1993); <em><span id="ref1077770"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Heat-film-by-Mann" class="md-crosslink ">Heat</a></em> (1995), a crime <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/theatre-art" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">drama</a> in which he played a detective hunting a thief (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-De-Niro" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Robert De Niro</a>); <em><span id="ref1077771"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Donnie-Brasco" class="md-crosslink ">Donnie Brasco</a></em> (1997), in which he starred as a low-level mobster who unknowingly befriends an FBI agent (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johnny-Depp" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Johnny Depp</a>); and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oliver-Stone" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Oliver Stone</a>’s <em><span id="ref1294415"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Any-Given-Sunday" class="md-crosslink ">Any Given Sunday</a></em> (1999). Also in 1999 Pacino appeared opposite <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Russell-Crowe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Russell Crowe</a> in <em><span id="ref1077772"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Insider" class="md-crosslink ">The Insider</a></em>; based on real-life events, it examines tobacco companies and their efforts to conceal the dangerous side effects of cigarettes.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Pacino’s <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="prolific" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolific" data-type="MW">prolific</a> acting career continued into the 21st century. In 2002 he starred with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robin-Williams" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Robin Williams</a> in the thriller <em><span id="ref1077773"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Insomnia-film-by-Nolan" class="md-crosslink ">Insomnia</a></em>, and he later appeared in <em><span id="ref1077774"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oceans-Thirteen" class="md-crosslink ">Ocean’s Thirteen</a></em> (2007), the final installment of a popular comedy trilogy that featured <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Clooney" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">George Clooney</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Brad-Pitt" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brad Pitt</a>. After skewering his public persona with a role as himself in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adam-Sandler" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adam Sandler</a> comedy <em><span id="ref1123684"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jack-and-Jill-film-by-Sandler" class="md-crosslink ">Jack and Jill</a></em> (2011), Pacino played an aging gangster in <em><span id="ref1172448"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stand-Up-Guys" class="md-crosslink ">Stand Up Guys</a></em> (2012). He evinced the isolation of a small-town locksmith in <em><span id="ref1219074"></span>Manglehorn</em> (2014) and the late-life <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="epiphany" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphany" data-type="MW">epiphany</a> of a rock star in <em><span id="ref1215788"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Danny-Collins" class="md-crosslink ">Danny Collins</a></em> (2015). After a series of roles in unremarkable movies, Pacino joined a cast of colorful characters in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Quentin-Tarantino" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Quentin Tarantino</a>’s <em><span id="ref1271972"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Once-Upon-a-Time-in-Hollywood" class="md-crosslink ">Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood</a></em> (2019). He then costarred with De Niro in <em><span id="ref1275572"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Irishman" class="md-crosslink ">The Irishman</a></em> (2019), his first film with director <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Scorsese" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Martin Scorsese</a>. In the mob drama, which received a theatrical release before airing on <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Netflix-Inc" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Netflix</a>, Pacino played labor leader <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jimmy-Hoffa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jimmy Hoffa</a>, whose disappearance in 1975 caused much speculation. For his performance, Pacino earned his 10th Oscar nomination. In 2021 he appeared as a lawyer in <em>American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally</em>, which was based on the true story of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mildred-Gillars" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mildred Gillars</a>, a radio propagandist for the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nazi-Party" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nazi</a> government during <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">World War II</a>. That year Pacino was also cast in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ridley-Scott" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ridley Scott</a>’s <em><span id="ref1298512"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Gucci" class="md-crosslink ">House of Gucci</a></em>, which centers on the true story of the murder of Maurizio Gucci, who headed his family’s luxury fashion brand.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h5"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref339323"> <h2 class="h1">TV and stage work</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In between his big-screen work, Pacino appeared in several television productions for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/HBO" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">HBO</a>. For his role as homophobic lawyer <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roy-Cohn" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Roy Cohn</a> in <em><span id="ref984722"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Angels-in-America" class="md-crosslink ">Angels in America</a></em> (2003), an <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="adaptation" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptation" data-type="MW">adaptation</a> of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tony-Kushner" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tony Kushner</a>’s two-part play about AIDS in the 1980s, he won an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Emmy-Award" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Emmy Award</a> and a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Golden-Globe-Award" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Golden Globe Award</a>. His performance as <span id="ref1077758"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Kevorkian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jack Kevorkian</a>, a doctor who <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/assisted-suicide" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">assisted in the suicide</a> of terminally ill patients, in the movie <em><span id="ref1077757"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/You-Dont-Know-Jack" class="md-crosslink ">You Don’t Know Jack</a></em> (2010) earned him the same awards. He later starred as another controversial figure in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Mamet" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">David Mamet</a>’s <em><span id="ref1174714"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Phil-Spector-television-film-by-Mamet-2013" class="md-crosslink ">Phil Spector</a></em> (2013), which was set during the <span id="ref1174715"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Phil-Spector" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">embattled record producer</a>’s first trial for murder. In <em><span id="ref1256126"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Paterno-television-film" class="md-crosslink ">Paterno</a></em> (2018) Pacino played legendary <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pennsylvania-State-University" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Penn State</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/American-football" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">football</a> coach <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joe-Paterno" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Joe Paterno</a>, whose reputation was tarnished by a sex-abuse scandal that occurred during his <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="tenure" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenure" data-type="MW">tenure</a>. In the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Amazoncom" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Amazon</a> series <em><span id="ref1281016"></span>Hunters</em> (2020–23), he portrayed a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Holocaust" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Holocaust</a> survivor who leads a group of people searching for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nazi-Party" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nazis</a> in the 1970s.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Pacino frequently returned to the stage throughout his career, notably winning a Tony Award for his leading role in <em><span id="ref1294403"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Basic-Training-of-Pavlo-Hummel" class="md-crosslink ">The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel</a></em> (1977). He also starred in such plays as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Shakespeare" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">William Shakespeare</a>’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Richard-III-play-by-Shakespeare" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Richard III</em></a> (1973 and 1979), <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Julius-Caesar-by-Shakespeare" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Julius Caesar</em></a> (1988), and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Merchant-of-Venice" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>The Merchant of Venice</em></a> (2010); Mamet’s <span id="ref1294404"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-Buffalo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>American Buffalo</em></a> (1980, 1981, and 1983) and <span id="ref1294405"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Glengarry-Glen-Ross-play-by-Mamet" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Glengarry Glen Ross</em></a> (2012); and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oscar-Wilde" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Oscar Wilde</a>’s <em><span id="ref1294406"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Salome-play-by-Wilde" class="md-crosslink ">Salomé</a></em> (1992, 2003, and 2006). In 1992 Pacino originated the role of Harry Levine, a washed-up writer who is depressed about his lack of success, in the Broadway drama <em><span id="ref1123685"></span>Chinese Coffee</em>; he later directed and starred in a 2000 film adaptation. He also directed the documentary films <em><span id="ref984724"></span>Looking for Richard</em> (1996) and <em>Wilde Salomé</em> (2011), which offered behind-the-scenes looks at two of his stage productions.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In 2001 Pacino received the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cecil-B-DeMille" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Cecil B. DeMille</a> Award (a Golden Globe for lifetime achievement). His other awards included the National Medal of Arts (2011) and a Kennedy Center Honor (2016).</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> </section><span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/contributor/encyclopaedia-britannica/12989892">Encyclopaedia Britannica</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":714685,"pageLength":1124,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"BIO_LARGE","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Al Pacino | Biography, Movies, Scarface, & Facts | Britannica