Isabelle Higgins - New Haven, Connecticut, "Hughie"
Jessie Cho - Santa Monica, CA, at the Ivy restaurant
Joan Butryn - in New York
John - in Louisville, while filming "Insider"
Kristen Savastano - New York City airport in 1990
Pat - at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas at a boxing match
Robert Ragno - Pascagoula Mississippi, "Insider"
Ted Crawley - Provincetown, the play "Rats"s in 1968

Isabelle Higgins - New Haven, Connecticut, Hughie

photo © Isabelle Higgins.

In August, 1996, I was blessed the with opportunity of meeting Al Pacino. He was performing Hughie in New Haven, Connecticut. I sent him American Beauties for his opening night. They were extremely difficult to find and had to

be ordered. I did not feel sending regular roses would be appropriate for the simple reason that American Beauties have class and I wanted him to have only the best. I was out in the back of the theater and thought it would be so nice to just get a glimpse as he came out. It turned out to be more than just a glimpse. A gentleman came out of the theater and asked me a few questions and I was told to wait by his limousine.They opened the back door of Al's limousine and positioned me to stand there. Al came out of the door of the theater, bounced down the stairs, dressed in black and with his white baseball cap and his gold necklaces, with the biggest smile on his face.I just stood there and smiled at him. He pointed to me and said "You" with a smile. Meaning I was the one who sent him the American Beauties. He came over to me and put his arm around me and yes, I did get a kiss. I put my head on his shoulder and we had our picture taken. It is a 12x14 picture that I put in a black and gold frame because I thought that suited him. To the best of my recollection, I was not able to speak to him very much due to the fact that I was in "awe". I cannot express how wonderful it was to meet him and what it meant to me. The only thing I do know is that the good Lord above knew what it would mean to me inside my heart to have met him. I truly am grateful to Al for taking the time and being so gracious to have met me. I truly feel that he is the most talented, intelligent and most attractive actor of all time and stands far above and beyond all the rest. I will treasure that day for the rest of my life. God Bless You, Al Pacino.

Respectfully yours, Isabelle Higgins

 

Jessie Cho - Santa Monica, CA, at a restaurant

One thing about Santa Monica, particularly right by the ocean: you do see a lot of actors. I worked at the "Think Tank by the Sea" and daily ventured out to try new trendy restaurants along Ocean Ave. At one of them, Ivy at the Shore, I had seen Steve Martin (looked just like he does) and Mariel Hemingway (looked better than she does on screen).

They would be seated far into the restaurant. Nobodies (such as yours truly) got put at the table by the kitchen.

Ivy was sandwiched between two other restaurants. One day my friend and I chose to eat at the place (then, Kenny's Steakhouse) next door, which had a patio that was screened (glassed) off from the traffic of Ocean Ave. We also sat at one of these tables that was directly across from Ivy's entrance, with no intent other than to eat lunch.

My friend said, "Some guy's out in the street directing traffic." A rather short man dressed all in black (pants kind of baggy, black slightly oversized t-shirt, red bandanna in his black hair) was stopping cars so that the valet could pull out of Ivy's driveway. I looked, completely oblivious, and returned to our conversation.

Since my friend was facing Ocean, as the man walked closer, she said very slyly out of her mouth, "That's Al Pacino." Then I looked at him directly, because now he was right at the entrance, and I said, "Naaaah, that's not him."

Now, I mentioned the screen thing because you could then still smoke if you sat in the patio area (which is why I was there) because it did not wall you off from the sea breeze. About a good foot and a half was open at the top; that way, no dust flew into your food but there was ventilation for smoke. It also allowed someone who was on the other side to hear your conversation!

So this guy is still standing before the entrance as my friend and I are debating YES it's him NO it's not, back and forth. Only I was slightly louder than she, who spoke out of the side of her mouth. And I kept saying, "That's NOT Al Pacino!"

He stayed there the whole time, at least 5 min, so evidently he was enjoying the debate too. Finally, he turned to show his profile, and my friend said, "LOOK AT THE NOSE." I did, and then I gasped and my eyes turned into exclamation points, and then Al showed a big smile before going into Ivy.

My first brush with greatness and I don't even recognize him! My friend, ever dryly, said, "He has greasy hair" and "Thank god this glass was up or your imprint would've been in it like Wile E. Coyote's."

Ivy, as you can imagine, is extremely protective of their clientele (thus, they were seated far INTO the restaurant). If you were headed towards someone like Al, the maitre d' would surely have intercepted with an intimidating "YES? CAN I HELP YOU?" After being seated at the same table the 4 or 5 times we think-tankers went over there, we got the message: You can look, but don't bother [the celebrities]. I suppose if we had slipped him a bill, we might've got a better table, but who knew AL would be there that day??? If so, I certainly wouldn't have eaten at Kenny's Steakhouse!

He was *SO* cute when he saw that I finally acknowledged he was indeed The Al!!! That smile! His thought was probably: I wonder when this dense girl is going to realize that I am who the other one knows I am... Emily (my friend) was right, though. Had I realized it any sooner, I would have tried to climb out and then she would've pulled me down by the legs and it just would've been a mess!

Ivy's entrance is on the side. In walking by, you can't see anyone or anything clearly because the glass is tinted.

There were possibilities (M:I-AL)! But I would've had to have been with another Al Appreciater and Adventurer, which Emily was not. She was more into, "We've got a meeting, we've got to get back to work."

It was before SOAW because "hoo-ah" had not become a classic yet.

Just a Sunday morning true story for you guys to hopefully enjoy. I sure enjoyed remembering it, and the details, especially after some wine!

Jessie

 

Joan Butryn - New York

(check out Joan's great screenwriting articles and interviews at Scriptscene/RWA)

photo © Joan Butryn

When I met Al Pacino in New York in 1996, I thought the really fantastic thing about him is that he generates a huge amount of energy and excitement in his physical presence alone. It's amazing to see him in person because he is just SO WHO HE IS, he's just Al, and everyone around him relates to him as Al! But it's kind of awesome because HE IS AL PACINO!

I've seen him perform on the stage 4 times, in Chinese Coffee and Salome in l994, and then in Hughie twice in l996.

I sat at the table next to him in a restaurant he went to after his theatre performance. I was just 2 chairs away from him, facing him, (of course), and I got to flirt with him for about an hour and 45 minutes until he left. He was dining with 2 other actors that night. One was his co-star in Hughie, Paul Benedict, and the other was Brian Cox, a Scottish actor who was in both Braveheart and Rob Roy. Al and I kept having a lot of direct eye contact back and forth. He has tremendous eyes, as you all know. I just looked and listened, I did not wish to intrude on his privacy or dinner in any way, I would never want him to think I was being rude by imposing on him or his good nature. He was in a very good mood that evening.

I was with my husband who was facing me and didn't really care to see Al all that much, (poor guy, he actually is very indulgent with me and this Al thing!), but I kept saying, "I know you think I'm crazy, but I can't help myself, I can't stand it, he's SOOOO cute!!" I found him to be full of boyish energy -- he runs around NY with his baseball cap on backwards. He doesn't look or move like he is his age! He moves quickly. He seems much younger. Almost like a big kid, I thought. He is a small man, but he has very nice shoulders, and he always had his shirt open, so I could see his chest. One time he was so close to me I could count the hairs on his chest!, and yes, I snapped 2 pictures of it, the one shown here is a nice close up of him with the baseball cap on with his shirt open; but the other I was so excited I got only his chest! LOL!

Al is extremely gracious and nice, very down to earth, just like a regular guy. He isn't like most of the characters he plays at all. He and the 2 other actors that evening were talking loud enough for me to hear everything. The tables were very close. They talked about Shakespeare and acting. You can bet I was paying attention to every little thing, so I will tell you that Al ordered a rare hamburger with raw onions!! He also loves ketchup, and put it all over the top of his fries, and then literally threw them in his mouth, one by one! He had a diet coke, and then a double espresso after his meal. He, then was looking to split a dessert (again I was dying, since I would have been happy to split one with him!!) I heard him say that he "didn't live with his "girlfriend" but that he visited her a couple days a week." (that would have been Lyndall at the time). When he left, he waved to me and blew me a kiss!! It was very exciting being around him, but I have to say that his down to earth, nice personality made me feel very comfortable around him, and I didn't feel nervous.

The next night I attended a film industry function where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and he was, of course, the center of attention, in the spotlights, cameras, etc., and so he was a lot more formal. He does have more of a formal public persona when he is in the spotlights, so to speak, a public-image thing, I think. He was much less relaxed and open on that night, and much more formal, more reserved. I was able to walk up to him and shake his hand, congratulate him, tell him what a great actor I thought he was, and thank him for all the inspiration he has given me.

All in all, it was a tremendous experience that I will treasure and remember forever. The one thing in my life I had always wanted to do was to meet him, so it was like a dream come true for me. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts and experience with all of you! I hope all of you can meet him some day, too, if that is your dream come true! I believe he definitely is the greatest actor of this century, and a really great guy besides!!!

Best wishes,
Joan

 

John - Louisville, KY, while filming Insider

photo © John

"The Day I Met Al Pacino"

Last Summer I heard about his new project Man of the People being filmed in Louisville and thought seriously about road tripping it 7 hours north up there. You see, ever since I saw Dog Day Afternoon and Scarface, I have wanted to meet my favorite actor of all time...Al Pacino.

Anyway, with the schedule conflict and all, I could not make it. This was the second chance I had passed up - the first time was when Al was in New York doing "Harry".

Just as I was looking for another chance I saw a small blurb in the local paper about movies being filmed in the state (Alabama), and how Man of the People would be filming in Mobile, AL in the middle of August. Well...I knew this was my chance! So I called the Mobile papers and all other places and found out when the filming would be, etc. I could not believe it....AL PACINO was coming to Alabama! (who would of thought?)

I worked it out and finally on August 16th I made the 4 hour trip down to Mobile to track down the man. Well, needless to say, the first day was horrible. I remember spending the day watching the crew setup for the NEXT day and knowing the day would be a waste. So I finally called it a day and checked into a hotel and waited for the next day.

The next day I got up and checked out and went back to the sight. They said the crew was still down in Pascagoula, MS and they would be down there for the day. Soooo....I headed 30 minutes that way.

I arrived around noonish and just in-time for them to start the shooting for the day. The scene being filmed was that of a a big house by the ocean and police cars in the drive way of this huge house. They had what looked like Al's stand-in walking out of the house over and over again. So I headed about 100 yards down the road to what looked like the stars trailers.

Before I knew it I see this short guy in a brown coat walking back towards the house with these two guys on each side of him. I thought at first..."Hmmm...was that him?" Well, I grabbed my notebook which had some Scarface 8x10 pictures and my camera from the car and casually walked back down towards the house. I got to sit at the house next door and watch them film the scene. Sure enough, I got to watch Al walk out the front door of this house and stand in the front yard about 5 different times. LOL!

Anyway, they finally yelled "Cut" and Al started walking back towards the trailer all by himself this time. Well, I didn't want to startle him, so I casually walked behind him until he got right up to his trailer and I ask him..."Mr. Pacino, would you sign?" He gladly turned around and signed two of my Scarface 8x10's. Then just as he put the pen down and walked into his trailer, I said "Can I please, please, please get a picture with you??" (Yes, I was begging, for I knew I might get kicked out anyway by this time)

Al turned around, came BACK OUT of his trailer and said "Sure!" He then ask his assistant to take the picture and so he did. Then that was it...

I then proceeded to go as fast as I could to the closest one hour photo and get the picture developed...just to make sure it came out. So what I had waited years and years for, and drove five hours for, and waited another 24 hours for...was over in about one minute. Yet...it was definitely worth it!!!

Since then I have had the picture done into an 8x10 and framed in my office, as well as the picture was printed in the local paper.

Well, just wanted to share my story...Hope you all enjoyed reading it half as much as I did living it....

John
Birmingham, AL

 

Pat - Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas at a boxing match

You know I was shocked, because I never knew Al even liked the fights!!! I never expected to see him there. Me and my daughter decided to go down there to see if any celebs would be attending the fight!!

photo © Pat

I just happened to be in the restroom at Mandalay Bay, and this lady was combing her hair, and she was telling this other lady that she saw Al Pacino and some other star in the hotel. I said "Al Pacino"?? she said yes. I said to myself aw she's lying!! so anyway i ran out the bathroom and told my daughter. There was a guy standing next to us and he heard us talking, He said yeah, Al Pacino is here!! My heart started pounding I said WHERE??? He pointed to the escalator and said he went down that escalator.

We went down there and there was no one around. So me and my daughter stayed downstairs and we waited about an hour, because the fight had already started. Al didn't get there until the fight was about to start close to 8:00. So we waited until about 9:30, the fight was over.

We waited to see if Al was going to come out. No Al. So we waited and waited, then I told my daughter, I'm going up, in case he comes out upstairs! So I started to go upstairs, and I said Naw, the guy said he was down here, why would he go in the big crowd upstairs. So we went back down, and sure enough!!! I saw Al walking towards us as we were walking towards him.

All I could say was OH MY GOD!!! IT'S AL PACINO!!! He was walking straight towards us, but he had people around him and security. He was talking to Jim Brown, I kept saying OH MY GOD IT'S AL PACINO!!!

We went on the side of him, and started walking behind him (this was a very long hallway!! Thank God!!) My daughter said PLEASE CAN WE SHAKE YOUR HAND??? security said no!!

Then she said CAN WE TAKE A PICTURE OF YOU?? And he turned his head so she could take a picture of him.

Then I said, Al, I am a big fan of yours I watch ALL of your movies!! And he turned around and smiled. He has the most BEAUTIFUL SMILE!!!! I was so surprised that he is so friendly. I thought he would be a snob, but he wasn't.

Then the woman security guard pushed open a side door exit, and Al and Jim Brown and others quickly left through the exit door, I should have followed, but i kept my composure and didn't!!

 

Robert Ragno - Pascagoula Mississippi, small part in Insider

My name is Robert J. Ragno Jr.  I'm a floorperson at Biloxi, MS, Casino.

In 1998 I heard of a movie to be filmed partly in Pascagoula  starring Al Pacino. My father told me to send my picture in and see. I got to be an extra in another movie filmed here in 91, so my wife and I brought photos to the audition, filled out some forms and waited.

I was working graveshift at the casino then and slept all day. A few weeks later the phone rang and woke me up out of nowhere. A man asked for me. I said, "Yea." (kinda grouchy like) and he asked if he woke me up. I almost told him to call back, but he mentioned who he was. I woke right up. I was chosen to be a news photographer in the movie.

I didn't go back to sleep that day. I called about wardrobe and where I was to be on the day of shooting, and showed up bright and early.

I got to the set and was put with other extras, all news photographers. One guy, Dale, I kinda clicked with. We were put together in the parking lot across from the courthouse and just talked about music, (I'm a singer, songwriter, musician) till we were told what to do.

They shot a number of takes of a limo pulling up to a courthouse, and we were to be in the background. The day went on, a few rain showers halted production, but gave everybody a good lil' break for whatever. Back in our position, Dale said, "We got screwed, man. We can't see any of the action." I told him, "I'm just glad to be on the set." (Not knowing then what was to come.)

We did our, 'standing in the background waiting for the limo to arrive' thing. During a break in shooting Dale said, "That's Pacino!" all excited like. I looked up and it was him. Michael Corleone, Sonny from "Dog Day Afternoon," satan from "The Devil's Advocate," Serpico. Then I got excited. Mr. Pacino shook hands with those passed, then Dale, then my turn.

I said, "How are ya, Mr. Pacino?" He smiled and nodded and got in his position. Right beside me and Dale. They brought the cameras and all right where we were standing. After a lil' discussion between the director and his people, it started to rain a bit. We all went under the awnings by the courthouse and waited. While waiting, Dale decided to call his girlfriend to tell her he'd met Al Pacino. So I called my wife, Barbie, at work to tell her. Just to brag I guess. Cause she also likes Al Pacino.

While I was talking to her on the cell phone Michael Mann, the director, was calling for the two news photographers. I thought I'd done something wrong. I hung up the phone and me and Dale went to the curb where Mr. Mann was. He told us to say a certain sentence to him. I automatically thought, "We got lines in the movie!!!" My eyes grew. We said the lines, he let Dale go first, then me. Then they started moving around getting things ready to shoot, and I was dreaming. (so I thought.) Nope, it was real. I was to do a speaking part in a major motion picture with Al Pacino. "What!!! are you kidding me." (I've always wanted to act in a movie, and to do my very first speaking part with Al Pacino was something to remember. How many people can say that?

I grew up in the movie theater. My father worked at them everywhere I lived. Germany, Florida, Mississippi. I saw everything. I was even a janitor at the one here for seven years. Now I'm in the picture, (if it doesn't end up on the cutting room floor), instead of cleaning up the popcorn afterwards.)

Anyway, I did it. I acted in a movie with Al Pacino. We did about ten takes before the director said print. Remembering what Dale had said about us being, "screwed", I told him, "We didn't get screwed, dude, we got laid!" Talk about a brush with greatness.

 

Ted Crawley - Provincetown, the play "Rats", 1968

August of 1968 I was a college senior and worked a month at a tiny playhouse in Provincetown, miscellaneous work for room and board. They brought up a different actor from New York each week for a different off-broadway play, and one week Al Pacino came up to do a 1-man play "Rats". This was before he made any movie (the "Godfather" made him a superstar). He stayed on a second week because that week's actor was Jill Clayburgh, who was his live-in girlfriend at the time.

Al had a tough New York accent and style, and often seemed moody, didn't smile except at jokes. But he was friendly and open, happy to talk at length with me or any of the others. Good sense of humor. He was very focussed on acting, I would sit and listen to him talk about the play and what he was doing with it, the process he went through, what he thought about on-stage. Not talking about his acting career, just the art itself. I was an engineering student but had been in some plays so that was great, and watching (as a waiter) him do the same play 4 nights was intriguing.

 

Kristen Savastano - New New York City Airport 1990

    Well, It was at Kennedy airport. My family & I were Just arriving In NYC back in 1990. I knew who Al was because my dad was a fan also. He turned me on to The Godfather. Ever since I saw Al in that I was floored. I fell for him bad. Anyway I was determined to meet celebs in NYC. So when i heard my Mom say "OH my god I think that's Al Pacino" I stopped & looked up. It was him. He was on his way to board a plane. He had security & bodyguards all around him. But, I was determined I bravely approached him and said..."Mr Pacino, can I have your autograph?" He smiled at me and said sure. He autographed a teen magazine that I had with me. He asked my name and signed away. He put, "To Kristen Best wishes Al Pacino". Then, he leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He winked at me and said "Take care" And left to board his plane. I thought I was going to faint right there in the airport. Other girls were trying to catch up with him. He smiled and waved signed a few more autographs, and left. He really s gracious and kind like people say.
    I will never forget that peck on the cheek. That is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I did write him a while ago and this time he sent me a nice autographed photo. Saying pretty much the same thing as on that teen magazine. Which I have framed. Well the cover anyway. And the photo. Every time I look at that I can remember my trip to NYC. And the "Kiss" at the airport. Well, that's my encounter with Al.

Ciao, Kristen