Kaylah Walton
In his latest autobiographical work, Sonny Boy, Al Pacino shares a significant and distressing childhood event that continues to affect him. The iconic actor expresses how he remains “haunted” by a severe injury he incurred at the age of 10 while growing up in the South Bronx.
Pacino recounts the accident in detail, explaining the intense pain he experienced that prevented him from getting home. Luckily, an older gentleman noticed his situation and helped transport him to his aunt’s home, where medical assistance was quickly arranged. He reflects on this moment as one of the most humiliating of his life, a memory that still resonates with him.
“I was balancing on a narrow iron fence, doing my version of a tightrope act,” as reported by People from the book.
“It had been a rainy day, and, sure enough, I lost my footing and fell, and the iron bar struck me right between my legs.
“I found myself lying on the bed with my pants down to my ankles, while three important women in my life – my mother, my aunt, and my grandmother – examined my injury in a state of mild panic.
“I thought, God, please let me die right then, listening to their hushed conversations as they checked on me.”
“To this day, that thought haunts me.”
Insights from Pacino’s Memoir
In the opening chapter of Sonny Boy, Pacino reflects on the incident as a testament to his resilience, comparing himself to “a cat with more than nine lives.” This traumatic experience marked the start of a life filled with challenges and perseverance.
The memoir provides a raw look into Pacino‘s journey, detailing his difficult childhood and eventual ascent in the film industry. He candidly shares heartrending moments, such as his mother’s near-suicide, alongside the youthful mischief he engaged in while living in New York City.
