Al Pacino, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of our time, has starred in two of IMDb’s top four films, yet despite his success in The Godfather and The Godfather II, he once found himself with “nothing” financially.
In his memoir Sonny Boy, named after his one-year-old son Roman, the Oscar-winning actor candidly shares details about his career and financial struggles. In a BBC interview, he expressed his desire to be present for his son, saying, “I want to be around for this child. And I hope I am. I hope I stay healthy, and he knows who his dad is, of course.”
The book delves into Pacino’s ongoing financial challenges, revealing that he was paid just $35,000 for The Godfather. While his earnings improved with the sequel and Scarface, his wealth soon dissipated.
“I had about ninety grand in the bank, and that was it,” Pacino recalled. “I had a lifestyle to maintain… I was spending and not earning.”
During the 1980s, he appeared in only five films, and by the time director Francis Ford Coppola offered him a role in The Godfather III, Pacino was broke. “The choice could not have been easier,” he explained. “I was broke. Francis was broke. We both needed the bread.”
His financial troubles resurfaced in 2011 when he discovered his accountant was involved in a Ponzi scheme. Reflecting on this period, Pacino shared, “I had fifty million dollars, and then I had nothing.” He described extravagant spending, including paying for 23 phones, 16 cars, and a gardener with a $400,000 salary—despite not living at the property.
Although he is no longer in financial distress, Pacino acknowledges the need to carefully plan his estate and seek advice from experts.
In addition to his youngest son Roman, Pacino has three other children: Julie Pacino, 34, and 23-year-old twins Anton and Olivia. He recently ended his relationship with Noor Alfallah, Roman’s mother, shortly after she gave birth to their son in June 2023.