Al Pacino reveals his near-death experience from Covid-19

In a recent podcast appearance, renowned actor Al Pacino opened up about a traumatic experience he endured during a bout with Covid-19, which left him reflecting on his mortality. The esteemed 84-year-old actor disclosed the harrowing ordeal while promoting his memoir "Sonny Boy" on The New York Times' podcast "The Interview." Pacino recounted the life-threatening situation he faced at his home in 2020 after contracting the virus, revealing the gravity of his condition.

A Dire Situation

Pacino vividly described the physical symptoms that plagued him, stating that he suffered from a fever, dehydration, a faint pulse, and ultimately lost consciousness. He conveyed the overwhelming sense of despair he felt, recalling, "I was sitting there at my house, and I was gone. Like that," as he snapped his fingers to emphasize the suddenness of the situation. He further revealed the frantic response of medical personnel who arrived at his home, saying, "I had about six paramedics in that living room, and there were two doctors, and they had these outfits that looked like they were from outer space or something." The actor expressed the shock of regaining consciousness to find himself surrounded by medical professionals, a sight he described as “kind of shocking.”

A Brush with Mortality

Pacino admitted that despite the near-death experience, he did not have any profound visions or sensations when he lost consciousness. He candidly stated, “I didn’t see the white light or anything like that. There’s nothing there.” The actor reflected on the gravity of the situation, saying, “You’re gone. Now I started thinking about that and I never thought about it in my life.” He emphasized the weight of the experience, contemplating the concept of death in a way he had never done before, stating, “But you know actors, it sounds good to me to say I died once. It felt like death. What is it when there’s no more?”

Throughout his illustrious nearly six-decade career, Al Pacino has solidified his status as one of Hollywood's foremost leading men, known for iconic roles such as Michael Corleone in "The Godfather," Tony Montana in "Scarface," and his Academy Award-winning performance in 1992's "Scent of a Woman." Despite having faced a life-threatening situation, the actor has continued to make headlines, recently becoming a father for the fourth time at the age of 83, welcoming a baby boy named Roman.

Pacino's candid revelation about his near-death experience serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, even for those who have achieved great success in their respective fields. The actor's resilience and ability to reflect on such a profound moment further solidify his status as not just a talented performer, but also a reflective individual navigating the complexities of life and mortality.