Al Pacino Names the Actor Who Taught Him “More Than Anybody”

Al Pacino credits John Cazale, a prominent actor from the 1970s, as his biggest influence. Despite working with acting greats like Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro, Pacino feels Cazale had the most significant impact on his work.

Al Pacino and John Cazale collaborated on many projects, including the iconic Godfather films, Dog Day Afternoon, and several stage plays. In an interview with The New York Times, Pacino spoke highly of Cazale, praising his skills and the influence he had.

John Cazale was a truly exceptional actor, one of the best of his generation—and of any generation. I learned a great deal from working with him, having shared the stage and appeared in three films together. He was incredibly inspiring, yet he never received the recognition he deserved. He acted in five films that were all nominated for Oscars, and he delivered outstanding performances in each one, especially in The Godfather Part II. It’s a shame he wasn’t celebrated more for his talent.

Al Pacino often praised John Cazale’s ability to completely become the characters he played. Pacino explained that Cazale’s realism deeply impacted his own acting, noting, “He had a great sense of reality. John was the actor who became who he was playing…”

Watching him perform was incredibly educational. I truly believe I learned more about acting from John than from anyone else. He completely immersed himself in his roles, evolving and becoming one with the character, and he never stopped refining his performance. He taught me that acting is a continuous process – you always keep learning and growing.

Though John Cazale’s film career was brief, every movie he appeared in received Academy Award nominations. Despite this success, he wasn’t always appreciated for his talent. Al Pacino has spoken about how deeply Cazale influenced his approach to acting, especially regarding commitment, authenticity, and fully embodying a character.

Al Pacino’s high regard for John Cazale shows how a short but exceptional career can deeply impact fellow actors and leave a lasting mark on film.

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2025-11-28 12:17