Al Pacino credits daughter's childhood genius for Oscar-winning ‘Scent of a Woman' role
, the legendary actor celebrated for his intense and transformative performances, has revealed a deeply personal story about how his eldest daughter, Julie, profoundly influenced his iconic portrayal of a blind man in the 1992 film
Scent of a Woman
. Now 85, Pacino recently shared that, while preparing for the role of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, a blind, irritable retired Army officer, he turned to then 3-year-old Julie for inspiration.
'I asked my daughter, 'Hey, Julie, can you act like a blind person for me?' She did it effortlessly, no preparation, nothing. I thought, 'Wow, I can't compete with this—kids are brilliant,'' Pacino recounted in a recent interview. He emphasized that her natural ability and innocence captured the essence of the character, helping him find the authenticity that ultimately led to his
Academy Award for Best Actor
.
Pacino, a father of four—Julie Marie, 35, twins Anton and Olivia, 24, and Roman, 2—has often spoken about how fatherhood has shaped his life and career. 'It changed my life. Focusing on other beings, particularly your children, brings a profound love,' he told People magazine last year. His youngest son, Roman, born when Pacino was 83, continues to inspire him, with Pacino sharing that engaging with his children, even through simple acts like playing the harmonica over video calls, brings him immense joy and keeps his spirit revitalized.
Reflecting on his journey, Pacino credits his children not only for their influence on his craft but also for grounding him personally. 'They have that genius,' he said, 'and she [Julie] was blind and she just did it, no preparation, nothing'. As Pacino continues his career with new projects like
The Ritual
, his story stands as a testament to the unexpected ways family can shape even the most storied careers in Hollywood.
Live Events
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Who is Channing Millerd? All about Princess Diana's niece Eliza Spencer's fiancé
Princess Diana's niece, Lady Eliza Spencer, has announced her engagement to her longtime boyfriend, Channing Millerd. He proposed to her in Greece's Santorini on July 31, People magazine reported. Eliza Spencer recently took to Instagram to share multiple photographs, including one that features Millerd down on one knee in front of a picturesque location, with a candlelit table behind them. Eliza Spencer and Channing Millerd, together since 2016, recently got engaged in Santorini.(Instagram/elizavspencer) Another one features the soon-to-be-married couple embracing each other, while Eliza Spencer flaunted her engagement ring. "Forever and Ever," she wrote in a caption along with a heart emoji. Also Read: Who is Lady Eliza Spencer? Meet Princess Diana's lookalike niece who just got engaged On August 2, the couple shared more images from their romantic getaway in Santorini, noting that the city in Greece will always have a "special place" in their hearts. As Eliza Spencer takes a step forward in her life, here is all you need to know about her partner. Also Read: Princess Diana's niece Eliza Spencer's engagement ring stuns in romantic proposal: How much is it worth? Who is Channing Millerd? The duo has been together since 2016 after they met during a dinner party in South Africa. According to People magazine, Eliza and Millerd got to know each other through Greg Mallett, who is the husband of her twin sister Lady Amelia Spencer. Raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Millerd spent most of his youth in the city. As per his LinkedIn profile, Millerd started his education at the Western Province Preparatory School and later went on to join Bishops Diocesan College. Post that, he got his bachelor's in creative brand communications from the Vega School in Cape Town. Also Read: Prince William's big plan to shake up the monarchy revealed Millerd also holds a degree in marketing and advertising communications. He has been taking part in various activities, such as rugby and swimming. Thereafter, he started giving water polo and rugby lessons at a local school. He began his professional career as a sales representative and marketing executive across different companies. Millerd was appointed as the chief operating officer (COO) of DataLedger in 2020. Last year, he started working in the same position for Marxhoff. Prior to his relationship with Eliza, Millerd had a son, named Nate, who was born in 2014. On his social media accounts, Millerd often shares photographs of himself with his son taking part in various activities. FAQs Are Amelia and Eliza Spencer identical twins? Yes, they are identical twins. What does Eliza Spencer do? She works as a model. How long have Lady Eliza Spencer and Channing Millerd been together? They started dating each other in 2016.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Famous figures born in August: Leos and Virgos who inspire
I assembled portraits of influential Leo and Virgo figures against a warm gold to earthy green gradient. Their impactful contributions are celebrated. August is a month marked by dynamic energy and remarkable personalities, thanks to the influence of two powerful zodiac signs—Leo (July 23 – August 22) and Virgo (August 23 – September 22). Both signs have given rise to many influential and respected public figures who have made a lasting impact in fields such as entertainment, politics, science, and art. Leo celebrities (July 23 - August 22) Leos are known for their confidence, charisma, and natural leadership. Ruled by the Sun, they often shine brightly in the public eye and aren't afraid to take center stage. Barack Obama (born August 4): The 44th President of the United States, Obama is admired for his powerful communication skills and calm leadership—traits often associated with Leo. Jennifer Lawrence (born August 15): An Academy Award-winning actress, Lawrence is known for her bold personality and magnetic screen presence. Madonna (born August 16): The Queen of Pop, Madonna exemplifies Leo's creativity, fearlessness, and ability to stay in the spotlight for decades. Virgo celebrities ( August 23 - September 22) Virgos are known for their intelligence, discipline, and attention to detail. They often work quietly behind the scenes, excelling in whatever they put their minds to. Beyoncé (born September 4): A global icon, Beyoncé is praised not only for her talent but also for her strong work ethic and precision—qualities that reflect Virgo's perfectionist nature. Keanu Reeves (born September 2): Known for his humility and thoughtful nature, Reeves represents Virgo's calm, grounded approach to life and work. Zendaya (born September 1): A rising star in acting and fashion, Zendaya's maturity and thoughtful expression are hallmark Virgo traits. Conclusion Whether bold and expressive like Leo or thoughtful and precise like Virgo, those born in August continue to shape the world in meaningful ways. Their unique personalities and talents are a testament to the powerful energy this month carries Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kayoze Irani admits Sarzameen had loopholes but viewers forgave them; reveals what he would change in film
It has taken its sweet time but Kayoze Irani's directorial debut, Sarzameen, finally released last week. The film, starring Ibrahim Ali Khan, Kajol, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, released on JioHotstar, with some mixed reviews from the critics. In a chat with Hindustan Times, Kayoze addresses criticism, talks about appreciation, and discusses his road ahead. Sarzameen is Kayoze Irani's first feature film as director. On audience reaction vs critics' reviews Sarzameen is Kayoze's first feature film. Before this, he directed a short film as part of an anthology. Talking about its reception, the filmmaker says, "I'm extremely happy with the audience reaction to the film. I think that the (viewership) numbers are doing very well. The overall audience perception and the feedback that I've been getting are good." However, he admits that there has been a fair amount of criticism as well. "There have been some criticisms. There have been some reviews that are critical, which is fair. What is important is to learn from it and move forward, but I'm genuinely overwhelmed. I feel that if it's managed to touch a few people, I can't be happier than that," he adds. Kayoze says that he read the critical reviews first, largely to see what he did wrong. "These are reviewers whom I respect," he says, adding, "Ideally, you want every review to be five stars, and you want the box office collection to be unheard of. But this will not be my only film. There's something that I can learn from it, and I will apply that in the next one." But Kayoze returns to the film's audience feedback. A section of the audience has praised the film's theme, which he finds promising. "Are there a few loopholes in the film? Maybe! Are there a few things that could have been done differently? Maybe. But the important thing is that the film worked on a larger level, and they were forgiving of a few of the issues," says the filmmaker. On learnings and what he would do differently Sarzameen was announced in 2023 and saw delays due to injuries suffered by Kayoze as well as Prithviraj Sukumaran, one of the leads. Ask him about his biggest learning from the long-drawn process of the film's making, and he says, "I have learned that there are some things that need time, and you need to respect them. My next project, whenever it starts, I will approach it like my first film, like my debut. I will start absolutely from scratch. I learned so much from Prithvi sir and from Kajol. During this film, there were some very, very tough days. But my worst day on Sarzameen has been better than any other day." Sarzameen is a story set in Kashmir wherein the long-lost son of an Army officer returns but is radicalised now. Ibrahim plays the adult version of the son. Talking about the one thing he'd want to do differently with Sarzameen, Kayoze says, "One thing that I would have done differently with Sarzameen was bringing Ibrahim into the film a little earlier, and I would have had more of the cat-and-mouse chase before he is discovered. These are the two things I would have done differently." However, the director is quick to add that this nitpicking is just academic, and once the film is complete, he has learnt to be satisfied with it. "Now, this is, this is my best foot forward. We'll move on," he concludes. Sarzameen is currently streaming on JioHotstar.
