his mother died when he was 22 and Al started to some drugs and alcohols during that time...

Leading such a sheltered life made Pacino a confused kid, especially when living in the South Bronx, which is not exactly New York's easiest neighborhood. Al even told peers he was part of a street gang, that he was from Texas or that he had ten German Shepards that would eat men alive. He'd do anything to try and fit in; there's a myth he even lost his virginity at age nine.

In spite of all this, Al Pacino's thirst to act was hardly quenched enough to his content. He was always itching to be in the elementary school plays and usually ended up with lead roles, and his teachers soon took notice of the boy's talent. They constantly urged his mother to put her son's almost preternatural acting skills to good use. With that, Rose enrolled him into the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in Manhattan.

Despite his obvious intelligence, Al was an underachiever in school and was constantly bored and unmotivated. He dropped out at age 16, hoping to begin a stage career. It didn't come easy, however. He went through a long and severe period of depression, rejection after rejection. He was also arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, and sentenced to a hearty fine. He did, however, befriend famed actor Charles Laughton, which was a huge honor on Pacino's part. Laughton could easily see that this kid had the spark that it takes to become a great actor.

Rose Pacino was intensely nervous by nature, and her son's wild energy and recent bad luck began to wear off on her. She kept how serious in a state she was to herself, however, and when Al Pacino was twenty-two years old, she died suddenly. The impact it had on her child was unspeakable. He felt completely responsible for her death, and hated himself for his overhyped ambitions and reckless drive to be onstage. To make matters worse, his mentor and grandfather, James, passed away the next year. Al Pacino started to turn to drugs from time to time, but alcohol pretty much became his best friend. It would take years for Laughton and other pals to help Pacino get over his drinking habits.

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