Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years

Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years

As a dedicated follower of Al Pacino‘s captivating career, I can’t help but marvel at the incredible stories that have unfolded behind the scenes. The tale of his narrow escape from kidnapping is a testament to his street smarts and quick wit, honed in the South Bronx streets where he was born and raised. It’s a chilling reminder that even Hollywood icons are not immune to the perils of an unpredictable world.


In the initial stages of his acting career, Al Pacino almost became the protagonist of a true-life criminal drama as he barely escaped being kidnapped.

In his recently published memoir titled “Sonny Boy,” as reported by People, the 84-year-old legendary figure from Hollywood shares an account of an exhilarating night spent with Gene Hackman’s brother, Richard Hackman.

During one of the pitstops on their transcontinental trip, Pacino unexpectedly found himself in a scenario that could have been plucked right from a suspenseful novel.

In a moment of impairment, Pacino confessed, ‘I was so intoxicated that I lost my bearings on the way home.’ But then, as if straight out of a dream, ‘a woman offered to drive me and, without hesitation, I accepted her offer.’

That decision raised immediate red flags for him. “Even in my confused state, I could tell that she wasn’t taking me back to where I usually stay,” Pacino reminisced. “So I asked her, ‘What’s happening here?’ And she bluntly responded, ‘I’m abducting you.’

Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years

Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years

He made it clear this wasn’t just ‘some aggressive flirtation.’

In other words, with his instincts honed by growing up on the streets of the Bronx, Pacino felt it was the right moment to take action. He put it this way: “I’m from the South Bronx. When someone tries to do something foolish to me, I know how to get away.

In response to his suggestion, I replied, “That’s too extreme for me. I’m leaving instead.” She responded, “No, wait,” and continued driving.

At that point, Pacino chose to escalate the situation. “I stepped out of the vehicle as though I were about to exit,” he explained, fully ready to abandon ship should things get tough.

In a slightly intoxicated state, I was prepared to jump out of a moving vehicle if necessary. Under no circumstances do I want this to happen to me, buddy.

His bluff worked. ‘She took me home.’

In the passage, it’s mentioned that the memoir section follows Pacino’s confession about his apprehension over potentially getting fired from The Godfather. To alleviate this fear, he covertly wished for an on-set injury to arise, offering a chance for him to depart from the movie.

Although he eventually received an Oscar nomination for playing Michael Corleone in the 1972 movie, Pacino later shared that studio execs had initially expressed reservations about his being right for the part, as recounted in another passage of Sonny Boy.

Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years
Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years

In a quote from The Guardian, he expressed that word had spread on set about his potential dismissal from the film. There was unease among both cast and crew while he was at work, something he was keenly aware of.

In my perspective as a lifestyle expert, when Pacino fractured his ankle during a stunt where he was leaping into a speeding vehicle on set, I can only imagine the sense of relief that washed over him. This unexpected incident might have felt like a fortunate escape from the project’s demands, allowing him some much-needed respite.

‘Thank you, God, I’m gonna get out of this film,’ he told Ben Mankiewicz during a rare interview on CBS Sunday Morning. 

In a sneak peek from this week’s Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, he expressed a similar thought.

He mentioned to the host that his ankle got injured because he apparently stumbled or lost balance, and in response, he looked up at the sky and expressed gratitude towards God.

“I felt that way inside, and I expressed it by saying, ‘Thank you, God, you’re going to help me exit this movie.’ It was that strong was my desire to leave. In other words, I thought it was a divine intervention.

Al Pacino reveals he was nearly KIDNAPPED by a woman offering him a ride home during his younger years

Regardless of any reservations, Pacino chose to remain part of the cast, and it’s clear that The Godfather has had an indelible impact on cinema.

Frequently hailed as a cinematic masterpiece, it enjoyed tremendous commercial success and received widespread praise from critics.

The movie garnered a total of ten nominations at the Academy Awards, ultimately taking home three esteemed Oscars in the categories: Best Picture, Best Performance by an Actor (which went to Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Presently, Pacino is preparing for his upcoming character as King Lear in a theatrical rendition of Shakespeare’s work. Lately, he has been spotted in Los Angeles wearing regal clothing, hinting at his role.

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2024-10-18 19:11

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