Did Al Pacino write an autobiography? Here’s everything we know so far

Al Pacino has cemented his place as one of Hollywood's most influential actors of the 20th century. The 84-year-old has enamored audiences over the years with his intense acting style and has inspired several younger generations of actors.

Pacino's first leading role was that of a drug addict in the 1971 film The Panic in Needle Park. He got his breakthrough the following year, playing Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. The actor's fame further reached new heights with acclaimed films like The Godfather Part II, Serpico, Carlito's Way, Scarface, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Insider, to name a few.

Now, the legendary Hollywood actor has shared his life story with fans in his autobiography Sonny Boy. He wanted to give readers a glimpse into his extraordinary life and said during the book's announcement in March 2024:

"My whole life has been a moonshot, and I’ve been a pretty lucky guy so far."

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Al Pacino recounts his life story in Sonny Boy

Al Pacino seen at the Los Angeles premiere of House Of Gucci (Image via Getty)

Al Pacino's autobiography, titled Sonny Boy, was released by Penguin Press on October 8, 2024. The book's title refers to his childhood nickname, given by his mother, which came from a 1920s song by Al Jolson.

The book was first announced on March 11, 2024. Pacino discussed his then-upcoming memoir in an exclusive interview with People Magazine, saying:

"I wrote Sonny Boy to express what I've seen and been through in my life. It has been an incredibly personal and revealing experience to reflect on this journey and what acting has allowed me to do and the worlds it has opened up."

The Scarecrow star revealed that he was motivated to write the book after the birth of his fourth child, Roman Pacino. Roman was born in June 2023, to Pacino and his then 29-year-old girlfriend, Noor Alfallah.

The Hollywood A-lister is also the father of three adult children—a daughter named Julie Marie Pacino with acting coach Jan Tarrant, and twins Anton and Olivia Pacino with former girlfriend Beverly D’Angelo.

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What to look forward to from Al Pacino's Sonny Boy?

Al Pacino seen with his girlfriend Lucila Solá (right) at the Venice Film Festival (Image via Getty)

The memoir takes readers back to the actor's childhood, growing up in the South Bronx in 1943 with his single mother, Rose, and his maternal grandparents. Over the 384 pages of the book, Pacino sheds light on his major career milestones and touches upon his personal life, with his many romantic partners and four children.

Furthermore, Pacino does not shy away from addressing the many highs and lows of his longstanding career. He revealed that he signed to do the widely panned The Godfather III in 1990 only for money. The star also speaks candidly about using drugs and alcohol to cope with fame, following the success of The Godfather.

The 84-year-old also reflects in his memoir on his decision to never marry, saying:

“I’ve always shied away from marriage. I guess I didn’t see how it would help anything. I just wanted to avoid what I thought, at the time, was the inevitable: an entrance to the pain train."

In his 50-year-long career, Pacino has received nine Oscar nominations. However, he only won once in the Best Actor category, for his role as Lt. Col. Frank Slade in the 1992 film Scent of a Woman. Additionally, Pacino is a four-time Golden Globe Award winner and a two-time Tony Award winner.

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Al Pacino's Sonny Boy is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and an audiobook version, narrated by the actor.