Al Pacino credits daughter’s childhood genius for Oscar-winning ‘Scent of a Woman’ role

Al Pacino, the legendary actor celebrated for his intense and transformative performances, has revealed a deeply personal story about how his eldest daughter, Julie, profoundly influenced his iconic portrayal of a blind man in the 1992 film Scent of a Woman. Now 85, Pacino recently shared that, while preparing for the role of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, a blind, irritable retired Army officer, he turned to then 3-year-old Julie for inspiration.

“I asked my daughter, ‘Hey, Julie, can you act like a blind person for me?’ She did it effortlessly, no preparation, nothing. I thought, ‘Wow, I can’t compete with this—kids are brilliant,’” Pacino recounted in a recent interview. He emphasized that her natural ability and innocence captured the essence of the character, helping him find the authenticity that ultimately led to his Academy Award for Best Actor.

Pacino, a father of four—Julie Marie, 35, twins Anton and Olivia, 24, and Roman, 2—has often spoken about how fatherhood has shaped his life and career. “It changed my life. Focusing on other beings, particularly your children, brings a profound love,” he told People magazine last year. His youngest son, Roman, born when Pacino was 83, continues to inspire him, with Pacino sharing that engaging with his children, even through simple acts like playing the harmonica over video calls, brings him immense joy and keeps his spirit revitalized.


Reflecting on his journey, Pacino credits his children not only for their influence on his craft but also for grounding him personally. “They have that genius,” he said, “and she [Julie] was blind and she just did it, no preparation, nothing”. As Pacino continues his career with new projects like The Ritual, his story stands as a testament to the unexpected ways family can shape even the most storied careers in Hollywood.