Al Pacino reveals near-fatal COVID battle and his return to stage
In the latest interview, the actor discussed his arduous battle with the virus. Only now has it come to light how serious Pacino's condition was.
Al Pacino, the 84-year-old actor known for his iconic role in "The Godfather," spoke about his dramatic struggle with COVID-19, during which his pulse stopped, and paramedics desperately tried to revive him. In an interview with "The New York Times Magazine," the artist recalled the moment he lost consciousness, saying, "I was sitting there in my house, and I was gone, like that."
Pacino describes how his condition deteriorated rapidly after he began feeling unusually unwell. He suffered from a fever and dehydration and then fainted. One of his staff called a nurse, but before help arrived, his life was hanging by a thread. "I didn’t have a pulse," the actor revealed. "In a matter of minutes they were there — the ambulance in front of my house. I had about six paramedics in that living room, and there were two doctors, and they had these outfits on that looked like they were from outer space or something," he added.
Although this traumatic event could have frightened many, Pacino claims that he is not afraid of death. "It's natural, I guess, to have a different view of death as you get older," he explained. He also added that he has children who are his "comfort," and he has left a legacy of film roles.
Admiration for TikTok and another role
Contrary to the common belief about the complicated lives of movie stars, Pacino reveals that he is no different from ordinary people when it comes to spending time on a movie set. What does he do while waiting for the next scene? He confessed to watching YouTube and TikTok! He especially likes videos about rescue dogs and emotional stories, such as the one about a deaf girl regaining her hearing.
He is now preparing to play the titular role in Shakespeare's "King Lear." He was recently seen in royal attire on the streets of Los Angeles, and his fans eagerly await the premiere of this play.
Financial troubles and support from a younger partner
In the latest interview, Pacino did not shy away from recalling the more challenging periods of his life, including financial troubles that forced him to take a role in "Jack and Jill." As he revealed, it all started when he learned of fraud by his then-financial adviser Kenneth Starr, who defrauded him and other clients out of €32 million. Starr went to prison, and Pacino had to pay €183,000 in back taxes.
Despite these difficulties, Pacino can count on the support of his 30-year-old partner Noor Alfallah, with whom he welcomed a son in 2023. The couple recently joined in her birthday celebration, and a video of the occasion appeared on Instagram. The actor has four children: daughter Julie Marie, twins Anton and Olivia, and the youngest, Roman.
