Kaylah Walton
Al Pacino, the legendary actor known for The Godfather, recently recounted a frightening encounter from the early stages of his career when he faced a potential kidnapping by a fan.
In his recently published memoir, Sonny Boy, the 84-year-old actor describes a terrifying evening that took a dangerous turn during what was supposed to be a simple ride home.
Pacino recounted a night out with Richard Hackman, brother of famous actor Gene Hackman, when he found himself too drunk to drive home.
A woman approached him and kindly offered to give him a ride, which at first seemed like a good solution. However, after getting into her vehicle, Pacino began to sense that things were off.
“A woman said to me, ‘Oh, I’ll drive you home.’ And without a second thought, I got into her car with her,” he shared with People.
As the car journey progressed, he noticed they were heading in the wrong direction. When he asked her about it, she chillingly replied, “I’m kidnapping you.”
Quick Thinking to the Rescue
Reacting swiftly, Pacino’s instincts kicked in. “I am from the South Bronx. When I see some crazy person trying to do something to me, I know how to escape,” he reflected in his memoir.
He considered leaping from the moving car to break free. “I opened the door as if to jump out of the car,” Pacino recalled, prepared to take action despite his intoxication.
Confronted with his resolve, the woman ultimately conceded and drove him back home. Pacino was unharmed, but the experience made a lasting mark on him.
Beyond the kidnapping experience, Pacino’s memoir reveals insights into his life, detailing his challenging upbringing in New York and his struggles with personal challenges.
Another striking story from his childhood involved a painful mishap while trying to tightrope walk on a fence. “To this day, I’m haunted by the thought of it,” he confessed.
With Sonny Boy, Pacino shares some of his most intimate and chilling stories, offering fans an unfiltered glimpse into the life of this iconic actor.
