Al Pacino Recounts Near-Death Experience During COVID-19 Battle

Acclaimed actor Al Pacino, renowned for his roles in over 70 films, recently revealed that he almost died during a severe bout of COVID-19 in 2020. The 84-year-old actor shared his harrowing experience in interviews with The New York Times and People magazine, describing it as a “strange porridge” after losing his pulse and consciousness at his residence.

Pacino recounted feeling “unusually not good” followed by a high fever and dehydration before he suddenly fell gravely ill. He described sitting in his home and then, without warning, feeling as though he had “gone,” realizing that he no longer had a pulse. “In a matter of minutes, they were there – the ambulance in front of my house,” Pacino recalled, noting the presence of about six paramedics and two doctors dressed in protective gear, which he likened to something “from outer space.”

Upon regaining consciousness amidst the paramedics, Pacino recalled, “Everybody was around me, and they said: ‘He’s back. He’s here.'” He further described the sensation of having no memories during those moments of unconsciousness. “You’re here, you’re not. I thought: Wow, you don’t even have your memories. You have nothing,” Pacino reflected.

Despite the severe nature of the illness and subsequent recovery, Pacino expressed skepticism about the closeness of his brush with death, pondering, “I thought I experienced death. I might not have. I don’t think I have, really. I know I made it.” He credited his assistant for the swift action that likely saved his life, as the nurse attending to him couldn’t detect a pulse, prompting the call for emergency services.

Throughout his career, Pacino has been celebrated for his roles in iconic films such as “The Godfather” and “Scarface.” Currently, he is preparing for an adaptation of Shakespeare‘s “King Lear.” In a broader reflection, Pacino discussed how the episode, while not altering his day-to-day life, gave him a more metaphysical perspective. “I didn’t see the white light or anything,” he mused. “As Hamlet says, ‘To be or not to be’; ‘The undiscovered country from whose bourn, no traveller returns.’ And he says two words: ‘no more.’ It was no more.”

Pacino, a father of four, hinted at his changed outlook on mortality, suggesting his children provide some comfort against the inevitability of death. His youngest child with producer Noor Alfallah, born last year, represents a “campaign for me to stick around a little longer,” he mentioned.

The actor will delve deeper into his life and experiences, including this near-death episode, in his upcoming memoir, “Sonny Boy,” slated for release this month.