When we talk about an exceptional actor, Al Pacino is the name that would come to our minds, there is no denying that he is an acting legend. Over his five decades-long career, he has worked as both lead and supporting characters in a variety of classic films. There’s no doubt that the Cruising actor would ultimately steal the show, and would become the key highlight of the film in which he stars.
Some of his most important works include films such as Insomnia, The Irishman, The Godfather, and many more. However, the actor’s performance in Scarface was iconic and became his career’s highlight. Filled with violence and drugs, Al Pacino’s performance turned the movie into an iconic film, making it an intriguing watch. But that did not come so easily as Pacino damaged his nose after reportedly snorting real drugs in the film.
Al Pacino Reportedly Damaged His Nose After Snorting Real Drugs For Scarface
Al Pacino‘s performance in Scarface was nothing less than phenomenal, the film cemented him as one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema. The actor portrayed the role of Tony Montana, an immigrant who established himself as one of the most daunting personalities in Miami. The Heat actor bewitched the audience with every gesture, and action he made, and his dialogue delivery was perfect, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
It was rumored that Pacino was using real cocaine in the film, but that was not the case, as the scenes of the film reportedly used powdered milk, so that it would not lead to damage to the actor’s health. Nonetheless, it would lead to problems for him as he would acknowledge that his nose was not the same after shooting the film.
During an exclusive with Fox 5 Washinton DC, a curious host asked the actor what did they use in place of real drugs, and what he snorted in the film. Al Pacino mentioned that it was not real, but even though the stuff was not real, it destroyed his nose.
“I knew what Scarface, they combined it with stuff not real, I mean not narcotics but something else to cut it down so it was possible but for years after, I have had things up in there. I don’t know what happened to my nose, but it’s changed. My breathing apparatus has been sort of altered a little but other than that it was easy to do it in moviemaking.”
However, the actor’s dedication and influence can be felt and seen in the film, as it went on to become one of the most renowned films back in the day, earning $44.9 million at the box office.
Al Pacino’s Decision To Quit Hollywood Turned Out To Be Disastrous
Pacino dared to chase his dreams and passion. However, once he found fame and recognition from working in The Godfather and Scarface, he decided to quit the movie industry. He stopped acting to produce and star in his own movies but that didn’t work out so well. The Donnie Brasco actor took a break from 1985 to 1989 from the film industry, hence he was not seen in any projects.
As per IMDb quotes, the actor stated that he used his own money to create films, and how he did not realize that debt and taxes started to pile up, and it got so worse that he almost went broke.
“I poured my own money into my own film, The Local Stigmatic (1990). Which I never released. I did some plays. All of a sudden the years passed and suddenly I owed some back taxes and the mortgage was due and I was broke.”
However, an encounter with a fan saved Pacino’s career, as he came up to him and requested the actor to start working in the industry again, as they wanted to see more of him. Al Pacino realized that he must return to Hollywood and be grateful for what had been given to him.
Scarface can be streamed on Netflix.
