Al Pacino Recalls Embarrassing Injury That Still Haunts Him: ‘Iron Bar Hit Me Directly Between My Legs’

American actor Al Pacino recently shared an awkward, deeply personal and painful incident in his new memoir, Sonny Boy. Although the 84-year-old actor has encountered various challenges throughout his life, this particular incident stands out as one of the most embarrassing and traumatic moments of his childhood. The misstep left an ever-lasting emotional scar on him.

In his new book, Al Pacino reflects, “I seemed to cheat death on a regular basis. I was like a cat with many more than nine lives. I had more mishaps and accidents than I can count.” Among the numerous incidents he’s faced, one particularly traumatic experience still makes him “squeamish to tell it now”—an incident that occurred when he was just 10 years old. The Oscar-winning actor recounted, “I was walking on a thin, iron fence, doing my tightrope dance. It had been raining all morning, and sure enough, I slipped and fell, and the iron bar hit me directly between my legs.”

The pain was excruciating, which made it difficult for him to walk back to his home. Fortunately, an old guy saw him groaning in the street. So, he picked him up and carried him to his aunt’s apartment, where he and his parents waited for the doctor to arrive. What followed was perhaps even more embarrassing for young Pacino. “I was lying on the bed with my pants around my ankles while the three most important women in my life—my mother, aunt, and grandmother—frantically inspected my injury,” mentioned the actor.

He continued, “I remember thinking, ‘God, please take me now,’ as they whispered to each other, trying to assess the damage.” He further stated that, to date, the memory of this incident makes him feel uncomfortable. “To this day, I’m haunted by the thought of it,” said Pacino.

Al Pacino’s memoir, Sonny Boy, was released worldwide on October 15 and chronicles his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming an Oscar-winning icon. The book delves into his family tragedies, wild successes, and struggles with addiction, while also sharing cherished childhood memories, including the rare moments his divorced parents reunited and his youthful adventures. In an interview with People, the 84-year-old actor expressed that it was time for the world to hear his story, stating, “It was due. I’m in my 85th year. When you get there, and you start experiencing age, you understand why they do put things down.”