Photo Credit: Getty Images
Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino has opened up about a near-death experience with COVID-19 in 2020, revealing that he briefly had no pulse during the ordeal. In interviews with The New York Times and People magazine, the legendary actor shared the terrifying details of his battle with the virus and how it changed his perspective on life and death.
At 84, Pacino recounted how he began feeling unusually unwell, developing a fever and becoming severely dehydrated. At one point, he said he was "gone," explaining, "I didn't have a pulse." In his interview with The Times, Pacino described the strange sensation of being on the verge of death, remarking that it felt like "you don't even have your memories. You have nothing."
Fortunately, thanks to the quick actions of his assistant and a nurse, emergency services were immediately called, and Pacino was revived. He recalled the surreal moment of waking up surrounded by paramedics, dressed in full protective gear that he likened to "space suits." Though the experience was shocking, Pacino emerged physically intact and puzzled over the nature of his brief encounter with death.
Reflecting on his brush with mortality, the Scarface star told People that while the event left him with questions about death, it did not fundamentally change how he approaches life. "It didn't change me at all," he said, though he admitted that the experience had a metaphysical effect, influencing how he thinks about existence and the afterlife. Pacino also referenced Shakespeare's Hamlet in his reflection, saying, "To be or not to be... It was no more."
While Pacino did not claim to see any bright lights or other traditional symbols of near-death experiences, his brush with COVID-19 has clearly left an indelible mark on him. His harrowing encounter is detailed in his upcoming autobiography Sonny Boy, set for release on Tuesday.
As the acclaimed actor prepares for his next role in a film adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, he remains a living testament to resilience in both his personal and professional life.
