Al Pacino: The Long Road to Oscar Gold
When people talk about the greatest actors in film history, Al Pacino is always near the top of the list. His career has been defined by unforgettable performances in classics like The Godfather, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon. Yet, despite this streak of powerhouse roles, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences didn’t give him an Oscar until his eighth nomination. For two decades, Pacino built a résumé that most actors would envy, only to see the statuette slip out of reach time and again.
The Early Nominations
Pacino’s first nomination came with The Godfather (1972), a role that turned him into a star overnight. Playing Michael Corleone, he gave a subtle, restrained performance that grew darker as the film unfolded. The Academy nominated him for Best Supporting Actor, but he lost to his co-star Joel Grey (Cabaret).
The following year brought Serpico (1973), with Pacino in the lead role of Frank Serpico, the New York cop who exposed corruption in the force. That performance earned him his first Best Actor nomination, but he once again went home empty-handed.
By 1974, Pacino was back in The Godfather Part II, a deeper, more chilling turn as Michael. Another nomination, another loss—this time to Art Carney (Harry and Tonto).
Then came Dog Day Afternoon (1975), where Pacino brought raw intensity to Sonny Wortzik, a desperate bank robber. It was widely considered one of his finest performances, yet the Oscar went to Jack Nicholson for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Rounding out the 1970s, Pacino picked up a nomination for …And Justice for All (1979). His courtroom meltdown—“You’re out of order! This whole trial is out of order!”—remains iconic. But again, he didn’t win.
The Wilderness Years and Return
After dominating the 1970s, Pacino’s career cooled in the 1980s. Films like Scarface (1983) became cultural landmarks but were not Academy favorites. It wasn’t until Dick Tracy (1990) that Pacino resurfaced in the Oscar conversation. His flamboyant turn as Big Boy Caprice earned him another nomination, though this time for Best Supporting Actor. Still no Oscar.
In 1991, Pacino delivered a quiet, devastating performance in Glengarry Glen Ross as Shelley “The Machine” Levene. That role also earned him a Supporting Actor nod, marking his seventh overall nomination. Yet the award slipped away once more.
Finally, a Win
By 1992, it had become almost a running joke—how could one of the greatest actors alive keep losing? That year, Pacino had two acclaimed roles: Supporting Actor in Glengarry Glen Ross and Lead Actor in Scent of a Woman. The Academy gave him both nominations, but it was Scent of a Woman that finally broke the streak. Playing the blind, retired Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, Pacino gave a showy, emotional performance filled with bombast, charm, and pathos.
On Oscar night in 1993, Pacino’s name was finally called. After seven nominations across 20 years, he held the gold. His acceptance speech was one of relief and gratitude, marking the end of a drought that had frustrated fans and critics alike.
What It Says About Pacino’s Career
Pacino’s long wait for an Oscar says more about the Academy than it does about his work. The 1970s and early 1980s were packed with incredible performances, and Pacino often competed against equally legendary actors at their peaks. His career is a reminder that awards don’t always line up with artistic impact. By the time he won, his reputation as one of the greats was already secure.
Today, Pacino is remembered not for the years the Academy overlooked him, but for the body of work that made those nominations possible. Few actors have ever had a run as consistent, daring, and influential.
