Kaylah Walton
Al Pacino, now 84, has opened up about his near marriage experience. Throughout his illustrious career and various high-profile romances, the legendary actor has consistently avoided matrimony. In his memoir Sonny Boy, he reveals that actress Kathleen Quinlan, known for her role in Apollo 13, was the one who almost changed his mind about marriage.
The actor’s relationships with notable figures such as Diane Keaton, Tuesday Weld, and Beverly D’Angelo are well chronicled, but his connection with Quinlan has received less attention. They met at a gathering hosted by renowned acting coach Lee Strasberg, and a close friendship developed during the production of Scarface in 1983. Their bond quickly evolved into romance, during which they traveled throughout Europe.
In his memoir, Pacino speaks fondly of Quinlan, describing her as a source of comfort during a challenging phase of his life. He admits, “It wasn’t easy to say no to marriage with a woman I love,” acknowledging the heartache his decision caused for years. He expressed a fear of the burdens he believed marriage could impose, referring to it as potentially leading to a “pain train.”
Pacino’s take on marriage avoidance
Pacino’s reluctance towards marriage wasn’t exclusive to Quinlan. He had a well-publicized relationship with Diane Keaton, his co-star from The Godfather series, who made numerous attempts to convince him to settle down. However, he remained firm, even dismissing Keaton’s ultimatum during the making of The Godfather Part III. Keaton acknowledged that while Pacino’s charm and enigmatic personality were captivating, his unwillingness to commit ultimately ended their relationship.
In Sonny Boy, Pacino reflects on his bachelorhood, saying, “I guess I didn’t see how it would help anything.” He expressed a preference for freedom over the expectations tied to conventional relationships.
Embracing fatherhood
Despite not marrying, Pacino has welcomed fatherhood with open arms. In 2023, he became a father for the fourth time with his then-girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 30. Their brief, headline-making relationship introduced a new dimension to Pacino’s life, particularly given their significant age gap of 54 years. Although they have separated, they share legal custody of their son, Roman, with Alfallah having full physical custody.
While Pacino’s personal life has frequently garnered media attention, the insights shared in Sonny Boy provide a rare opportunity to understand the thoughts of a man who has spent many years in the limelight, yet seldom discusses his private experiences.
