Al Pacino Almost Got Fired from ‘The Godfather’ After a Shocking On-Set Injury | Celebrity Biography

In a stunning revelation from his new memoir "Sonny Boy," Al Pacino opens up about a pivotal moment on the set of The Godfather that nearly ended his career before it truly began. Pacino, who was under immense pressure to prove himself as Michael Corleone, suffered a severe ankle injury while filming a stunt—an accident that almost got him fired.
At the time, the studio was still unsure if Pacino was the right fit for the role. Rumors swirled on set that he might be replaced, and Pacino himself started to feel the weight of those whispers. In a raw and honest passage from his memoir, Pacino confesses that he actually welcomed the idea of being let go. The pressure of feeling unwanted, and fearing he wasn’t delivering, made the thought of being fired a relief.
But fate had other plans. Despite the injury, Pacino’s performance in the iconic restaurant scene, where Michael takes his revenge on Sollozzo and McCluskey, turned everything around. The scene convinced the studio he was their Michael Corleone after all. And the rest? History. Pacino went on to secure an Oscar nomination for his work in the film and reprised his role in The Godfather sequels, cementing his legendary status in Hollywood.
Sonny Boy is out now, offering a rare glimpse into Pacino’s personal experiences on one of the most legendary films ever made.