Al Pacino admits he was unprepared for the level of fame that followed his breakthrough role as Michael Corleone in 1972′s The Godfather.
The New Yorker, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday, said he considered himself a “loner” and had a “strange reaction” to the interest in him that followed.
He told the Telegraph: “The reaction wasn’t positive. I was catapulted out of a cannon.
“People are more accepting of fame today because of all the media outlets. Young people even aspire to it.”
He said he was “bombarded” by people approaching him on the streets afterwards.
The Scarface star said: “I became more aware of myself, constantly reminded that I had this name because (strangers) kept calling me by it.
“Being an outsider is part of being an artist. You try to conform. But some of us just can’t.
“I didn’t know what was expected of me. I still don’t.”
The veteran actor, who has been teetotal since the late 1970s, will return to British cinema screens from May 29 when he takes the title role in Danny Collins, a comedy about an ageing rockstar.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article