Al Pacino recently opened up about a near-death experience he had when he contracted a severe case of COVID-19 in 2020. During an interview, the 84-year-old actor revealed that his pulse stopped while he was at home being treated for dehydration and fever. Paramedics arrived quickly, and Pacino described the surreal moment of regaining consciousness, surrounded by six paramedics and two doctors, who were dressed in protective gear.
Although Pacino didn’t see the stereotypical “white light,” he did experience a profound shift, explaining that in that moment, it felt like there was “nothing there.” Reflecting on the experience, he compared it to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, quoting, “To be or not to be” and “no more,” emphasizing the finality of the moment when his pulse had stopped.
Pacino noted that this experience made him contemplate life differently, describing it as a moment where “you’re here, and then you’re not.” He also humorously remarked how actors sometimes embellish their experiences, joking that it now sounds “good to say I died once.”
Now, with a one-year-old son, Roman, to care for, Pacino is committed to sticking around longer and cherishing the life he has, despite the startling brush with death. His reflection on mortality has only deepened his appreciation for life and family.
