In a recent interview, legendary actor Al Pacino opened up about his decision to skip the Oscars in 1973, unraveling the mystery behind his absence during the ceremony where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his iconic role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
For years, it was rumored that his no-show was a snub because he felt he deserved a Best Actor nomination instead. However, during a chat with Dermot O’Leary on BBC Radio 2, Pacino clarified that his avoidance stemmed from his struggles with fame.
He likened his feelings to those of novelist Jack Kerouac, admitting he felt “embarrassed by fame.” Pacino explained, “I didn’t want to go because it scared me… I was working in Boston at the time and I felt out of place.” The actor articulated how disorienting it could be to feel famous yet uncertain of one’s identity in that spotlight.
Though nominated for nine Oscars, he didn’t win one until 1993 for Scent of a Woman. Reflecting on his earlier accolades, Pacino recounted his reaction upon winning the National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor in 1972, saying, “Wow, sure that’s cool… Do you know a psychiatrist I can see?” highlighting his discomfort with accolades.
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Now, as he promotes his memoir Sonny Boy, Pacino shares how the misconception surrounding his Oscars absence lingered in Hollywood, noting, “It was appalling to learn it now… I missed opportunities to deny it.” He also expressed his early fears of being dropped from The Godfather, despite it becoming his major breakthrough, earning him multiple nominations and accolades.
You can catch the full interview with Pacino on BBC Radio 2 here.