“There was something about him”: Al Pacino Made a Prediction About Robert De Niro’s Future on Their First Meeting and Unsurprisingly He Was Right

Al Pacino has been regarded as one of the greatest actors ever. Several of his films are now regarded as classics, and numbers cannot measure his impact on the world of Hollywood. Having been an inspiration for decades, he has made many others pursue his craft and has become ingrained in the fabric of cinema.

Knowing just how talented he is, it would not be surprising to know that he can find talent in others as well. During an interview, Pacino revealed his first meeting with Robert De Niro, long before the actor was famous. Interestingly enough, the Scarface predicted something about the newcomer, which happened to be very true.

The First Meeting of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino

Over the years, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro have been put in the same category of legends, having risen through the ranks around the same time. They have also starred in many projects, becoming one of the most iconic duos in Hollywood. During an interview with Variety, the pair looked back at the first time they met each other.

Although Pacino had already begun to make a name for himself through his Oscar nominations, De Niro was still starting out, having only starred in some films. One day, the Scarface actor was walking down 14th Street west of Avenue B in Manhatten with his girlfriend, when he bumped into the Taxi Driver actor.

It is safe to say that the two meetings under such circumstances are quite picturesque. Meeting each other under unforeseen circumstances, only to have their careers intertwined with each other for the rest of their lives is bizarre, to say the least.

Talent Recognized Talent

What makes the entire situation all the more interesting is that Al Pacino recognized Robert De Niro, even though he had barely begun to make a name for himself. While he did know who he was looking at, that was not all that was going through Pacino’s head.

As he revealed during the interview, when he saw De Niro for the first time, he was suddenly hit with a feeling that he could not explain. Looking at the young actor, Pacino was suddenly certain that De Niro would be very successful soon.

There was something about him. He had a certain charisma. He had that look. I thought, ‘That kid’s gonna go far.’

Through the Taxi Driver actor’s personality, look, and general essence, Pacino knew that he was in the presence of a future legend. Knowing just how right he was, it is safe to assume that the Scarface actor knows talent when he sees it.