Al Pacino Reflects on Battle With Addiction, Near-Death Experience in New Memoir

The actor’s new memoir, ‘Sonny Boy,’ debuts on Oct. 15.

Al Pacino poses in the press room during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, Calif., on March 10, 2024. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino—famed for his roles in “The Godfather,” “Scarface,” and “Scent of a Woman,” among other films—is poised to share some of the challenges he has overcome in life in his forthcoming memoir, “Sonny Boy,” including his past struggles with alcoholism and drug use.

Ahead of the book release on Oct. 15, Pacino spoke with People about what prompted his decision to embrace sobriety more than 40 years ago.