AL PACINO’S DEMENTIA NIGHTMARE! Why H’wood fears legend is losing it
MOVIE Godfather Al Pacino’s stinky hygiene, bumbling and absent-mindedness have people close to him fearful the 83-year-old acting icon is tumbling toward a dementia crisis, insiders tattle.
The screen legend’s wobbly appearance at the March 10 Oscars triggered concern, especially when he announced Oppenheimer as Best Picture while failing to mention the other nominees as the presenter is supposed to do.
The Scarface star lamely tried to excuse his bungle by saying it was the producers’ decision to skip the other nominees, but sources say his goof has triggered buzz that dementia isn’t far off.
“His awkward appearance at the Oscars is just the tip of it — he’s been increasingly forgetful,” spills an insider.
Also worrying is his snail’s pace work on his memoir, Sonny Boy, set for an Oct. 8 release, say sources.
“It’s an absolute nightmare for his ghostwriter because it’s a struggle for him to remember people’s names,” blabs the insider.
“Al’s calling up friends and old girlfriends trying to jog his memory, poring over letters and rewatching his films.”
As GLOBE previously reported, sources say the 5-foot-6 Romeo, whose lovers have included Diane Keaton, Tuesday Weld and Penelope Ann Miller, has irked 30-yearold producer Noor Alfallah, mom of his fourth child, yearold son Roman, with his sloppiness and forgetting their dates.
“Al speaks very slowly, appointments slip his mind, and he forgets dinner dates with Noor,” tattles the source. “Getting dressed to go somewhere takes time because he gets distracted and can’t remember where his clothes are.
“Al’s not totally gone, but his pals are worried he could be on his way. Dementia is a scary word when you get to Al’s age.”
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— Bob Hope