Legendary actor Al Pacino reflects on Covid near-death experience: My pulse was gone

Legendary actor Al Pacino, 84, has opened up about a near-death experience he had while battling COVID-19 in 2020. In a recent interview with The New York Times, the Godfather star detailed a terrifying moment when he fell unconscious during his illness.

"I didn’t have a pulse," Pacino recalled. "In a matter of minutes [the paramedics] were there - the ambulance in front of my house. I had about six paramedics in that living room, and there were two doctors, and they had these outfits on that looked like they were from outer space or something," he said.

The Oscar-winning actor explained that he had started to feel "not good" before losing consciousness. He was suffering from a high fever and dehydration at the time, but despite the seriousness of the situation, he maintained his sense of humour.

"I didn’t see the white light or anything,"



Pacino said. "There’s nothing there. I’d never thought about it in my life. But you know actors: It sounds good to say I died once. What is it when there’s no more?" he said.

Although the moment was frightening, Pacino said he remains unafraid of death. "You get a different view of death as you get older," he reflected. "It’s just the way it is. I didn’t ask for it. Just comes, like a lot of things just come," he added.

The actor also shared his thoughts on his role as a father, saying his children are a key reason he'd like to "stick around a little longer if it's possible."

Pacino has four children, including his 1-year-old son, Roman, whom he welcomed with Noor Alfallah in June 2023. He is also father to 34-year-old daughter Julie Marie with ex-girlfriend Jan Tarrant and 23-year-old twins Anton and Olivia with ex Beverly D'Angelo.