Movie Legend: Al Pacino

Al Pacino is recognised today as one of the most iconic actors of his generation, and is considered to be one of the most talented movie actors of all time. He has played the lead roles in some of the greatest films ever made, including The Godfather Trilogy (Where he played Michael Corleone) and Scarface (Where he played Tony Montana). Among his many awards he has won over the years include, a golden globe for lifetime achievement in motion pictures (2001), another golden globe this time for best actor for his role in Angels in America (2004), The AFI (American Film Institute) lifetime achievement award (2006). But he gained his most prestigious award in 1992 when he picked up the Oscar for best actor; he played Lieutenant colonel Frank Slade in the movie Scent of a Woman.

Alfredo James Pacino, better known as Al Pacino was born in East Harlem, Manhattan (1940) to Italian American Parents. He had a somewhat difficult childhood with his parents divorcing when he was just two years old. He attended the High school of performing arts in New York City, but it quickly became apparent that he wasn't the academic type. In 1957 he left school with little qualifications. Not long after that he left home also and had to work at a few low paying jobs just to get by.

All the way through his time as a busboy, janitor and postal clerk, which were just some of the jobs he did before acting, Pacino had aspirations of becoming an actor, but it wasn't until 1966, 9 years later that he was accepted into the actor's studio where he learned from the legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg. For the first time in his life Al Pacino was earning money doing something he loved.

It wasn't long before he started to win awards for his stage performances. The Obie award came first in 1968, then a year later he won a Tony award on his Broadway debut, for his role in Does a tiger wear a necklace. At this time it was becoming clear to recognise that Al Pacino was a talented actor. It wasn't long before he made his movie debut in Me, Natalie.

During the 1970's he stared in some of the greatest films of all time, and was nominated for the Oscar for best actor on four separate occasions. Although winning none, Al Pacino was displaying himself as one of the best actors of his era. His big break came in 1972, when he was asked by Francis Ford Coppola to play the lead role in the film The Godfather.

The film The Godfather is widely regarded as the greatest film of all time. Based on the novel written by Mario Puzo, The Godfather portrays the life of an Italian- American family living in New York in the 1940's on wards. Al Pacino plays Michael Corleone, The son of the Corleone mafia gang leader Vito Corleone. After the death of Vito Corleone, Michael is passed the mantle of leader of the Corleone family. There have been three Godfather films made, with Al Pacino playing Michael Corleone in them all.

For his exceptional performance in the Godfather Al Pacino was nominated for three awards. The Golden Globe award for Best actor, The BAFTA for best newcomer and a Oscar for best supporting actor.

After he stared in The Godfather Al Pacino went on to star in more big hit movies. In 1973 he played the main role in Serpico, where he portrayed Frank Serpico, a New York policeman who goes undercover in order to expose corruption amongst his colleagues. Once again Pacino got rave reviews for his performance. He also won another Golden Globe and was nominated for a BAFTA and Oscar.

By now Pacino was quickly becoming recognised as one of the top actors of his generation. In 1975 he went on to play Sonny Wortzik in the big hit movie, Dog Day Afternoon, based on the true story of a bank robber. Pacino won a BAFTA for best actor and was also nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the role he played. He went on to star in Bobby Deerfield in 1977, where he played the lead role.

The 1970's were probably Pacino's best years regarding movies. He played the lead role in some great films and won countless awards. But what was remarkable was that during this time he had been nominated for four Oscars for best actor, but as yet hadn't won any.

Pacino's next big movie came in 1983, where he played Tony Montana, a Cuban drug dealer/gangster.

The film is based in Miami, Florida, and tells the story of a Cuban immigrant (Tony Montana), who quickly gets caught up in drugs, violence and murder. After been involved in various drug dealers Tony is made a business partner by Alejandro Sosa, an important person in the drug trade. It isn't long before things turn sour between Tony and Sosa, resulting in mass chaos. Tony's younger sister is killed by Sosa's men and Tony goes on a rampage in order to get revenge. This resulting in his death. Although when first released Scarface received mixed reviews, it is now regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

During this time Pacino was still performing on stage. In the late 1980's he performed in plays such as The Local Stigmata, Crystal Clear, National Anthems and Julius Caesar. But his greatest stage success came in 1989, in the play American Buffalo. For this he was nominated for the drama desk award.

As the 90's began, Pacino was now considered to be an acting superstar, by this time he was one of the most famous men in the world. But his success was not about to end here. The early 90's saw Pacino star in yet more highly successful movies. First came Dick Tracy in 1990.For his performance in this he earned himself three nominations, for, an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe, all for best supporting actor.

He was nominated for more awards in the early 90's.As he returned to play his most famous character Michael Corleone, in The Godfather part lll, for this he was nominated for a Golden Globe.1992 brought great success for Pacino. It began with him staring in Glengarry Glen Ross, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Oscar. But later that year he won his first ever Oscar, which is the greatest accomplishment any actor can acquire, for his lead role in Scent of a Woman, where he played Lieutenant colonel Frank Slade.

Scent of a Woman tells the story of a blind retired army officer Frank Slade (Al Pacino).Who employs a school student called Charlie as his assistant. Throughout the film Frank and Charlie become closer, they ultimately become close friends, even though Frank is a middle aged drunk who is intolerable in the beginning. They take a trip to New York together, where Frank as a few things he wants to do, one of which includes commit suicide. Although after a long talk Charlie persuades him not too. The most compelling part of the movie is a speech given by Frank to Charlie's school committee, which results in Charlie not been expelled. After his entire ordeal Frank becomes a changed man.

Although Pacino is mostly known for his on screen and stage acting, he is also regarded as a adept director. In 1995 he picked up the Directors Guild Award for his work in Looking for Richard, as both the director and narrator. He also was the director of the 2000 film, Chinese Coffee.

After he picked up his first Oscar he went on to do a number of superb films during the 90's. The first of which was Carlito's Way, 1993. Heat was his next big movie, where he co stared with Robert De Niro, this was in 1995.Pacino was also commended for his performances in Donnie Brasco, 1996.The Devils Advocate, 1997, and The insider, 1999.

At the turn of the century Pacino was by now perhaps the most well known actor of his generation. But by 2001 it wasn't just his acting career he had to make time for, because it was in that year that then girlfriend Beverley D'Angelo gave birth to twins, Anton James and Olivia Rose. This being Pacino's second and third child to be born, after his eldest daughter Julie Marie, who was born 12 years beforehand.

In this current decade Pacino has been in countless movies, some of which have been big hits, others less so. The first of which was Insomnia, which did respectable at box office. He then stared in four movies in 2002.Including People i no and The Recruit. It wasn't long though before he was back amongst the awards, in 2003 Pacino stared as Roy Cohn in Angels in America, which proved to be a massive hit and also won him yet another Golden Globe.

By now Pacino had been at the top of his profession for over thirty years, this was recognised in 2001 when he won the Golden Globe for lifetime achievement in motion pictures, then in 2006 he picked up the American Film Institute lifetime achievement award.

Since been involved in the making of Angels in America Pacino has stared in films such as The Merchant of Venice, Two for the money, 88 minutes and Righteous Kill. Each receiving mixed reviews. Now at the age of 69 Pacino continues to deliver first-class performances.

There is no doubt that over his extended career Al Pacino has been a great actor, both on screen and stage, but not only that he has also been a fantastic role model to all up and coming actors. Throughout his career he has been acknowledged worldwide as a tremendous actor, this can be seen by the countless number of awards he has attained. But i believe that what sets him apart from most other actors is the way he conducts himself with style and grace both on and off screen. That's the reason why i think Al Pacino will always be seen as an icon throughout the world.