Al Pacino Reveals He Lost His Pulse During COVID-19 Battle—Read His Harrowing Health Story

At 84 years old, Al Pacino has seemingly lived a thousand lives. If his career on the screen wasn’t impressive enough, characterized by famous roles in movies such as The Godfather (1992), The Godfather Part II (1974), Scarface (1983) and Scent of a Woman (1992) to name a few, the thespian is anticipating the release of his upcoming memoir, Sonny Boy, on October 8. Ahead of the book’s debut, Pacino revealed to The New York Times that not too long ago, he almost lost his life after enduring a serious case of COVID-19. Here, read all about his health scare. 

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Al Pacino’s near-death experience during COVID-19

Though he is said to dive into his COVID scare in his memoir, the actor got candid in his recent Times interview, explaining how after feeling “unusually not good,” a fever and dehydration soon followed, resulting in a nurse coming to hydrate him—but things soon took a turn for the worse. 

“I was sitting there in my house, and I was gone. Like that. I didn’t have a pulse. In a matter of minutes they were there—the ambulances in front of my house.” Pacino went on to describe the unusual experience he had upon regaining consciousness, waking up to see paramedics and doctors surrounding him in outfits “that looked like they were from outer space or something.” 

At the time of this scare, which took place back in 2020 during the very early days of the pandemic, Pacino was lucky to have his assistant by his side who took the necessary steps to ensure his safety—and the actor didn’t hesitate to sing his praises in an interview with PEOPLE, saying his “great assistant Michael Quinn” was the one who “got the people coming, because the nurse that was taking care of me said, 'I don't feel a pulse on this guy.’”

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Why did COVID cause Al Pacino to have no pulse?

While we don’t know for sure what led Pacino’s health to deteriorate so quickly, the condition in which your heart rate is extremely low—less than 60 beats per minute—is known as Bradycardia, and has been seen in some patients with COVID-19. As for his pulse disappearing completely, the instance in which your blood begins circulating again after your pulse stops is known as Lazarus syndrome. Pacino’s age could have also been a factor for his reaction at the time, but either way, we’re happy that he went on to make a full recovery. 

What has Pacino said about his near-death experience?

Despite his lack of pulse, the actor isn’t totally convinced he was fully gone. "I thought I experienced death. I might not have. I don't think I have, really. I know I made it,” he told PEOPLE. Pacino also shared to The New York Times that, “I didn’t see the white light or anything. There’s nothing there.” He continued, “It was no more. You’re gone. I’d never thought about it in my life. But you know actors: It sounds good to say I died once.” 

We are certainly glad Mr. Pacino has made a full recovery!

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