Al Pacino, now 84, has opened up about a severe financial blow he faced when he was 70 years old. Diversity published a section from the actor’s memories that explains how a fraudulent accountant drained most of his fortune and what happened next. The note makes clear that warnings circulated about the accountant being untrustworthy, but Pacino did not react strongly at first. After making several large expenses, he started to scrutinize his personal finances and discovered there was little left to show for years of earnings.
“I had about $50 million saved, and then there was nothing left. There was property but no money. I’m completely devastated”, Pacino recalled. The consequences were swift and harsh: the accountant received seven and a half years in prison for fraud. Pacino also admitted that he had lived beyond his means, paying a landscape designer $400,000 a year to work on a house he did not even inhabit.
As time passed, Pacino was no longer receiving the blockbuster fees that had funded his peak years. He described how the money challenge forced him to rethink his approach to work, making room for roles he would not have previously considered. He even did commercials and took different kinds of projects to sustain his career while rebuilding his finances. He starred in the comedy Such Different Twins and appeared in a coffee advertisement. There were periods when he had to sell property, including his house, and he began giving lectures at colleges and universities to supplement his income.
Earlier discussions by Pacino had touched on personal trauma, underscoring a willingness to speak openly about difficult experiences that shape a long career. The episode serves as a stark reminder that fame does not immunize a person from financial risk, and it highlights the importance of prudent financial oversight and planning even for legendary talents. Diversity’s publication of these memories adds a candid chapter to Pacino’s public narrative, illustrating how rapid shifts in fortune can reshape an actor’s choices and outlook.