Pacino’s breakthrough role in The Godfather earned him Oscar and Golden Globe nods. But, the completion of the picture and being thrust into the spotlight led Pacino’s mental health to deteriorate.
Director and actor Lee Strasberg advised the struggling young actor at the time to “adapt to his new existence,” but Pacino himself admitted that it is not that simple.
“I went through some stuff,” Pacino stated on a podcast. “For 25 years, I went to counseling five days a week.”
As he played Michael Corleone in The Godfather II, the actor recognized that his character was melancholy.
This was true when he starred in The Humbling, where his character, an elderly actor, had an affair with a younger woman.
“The character is getting older, and his sentiments for his work are becoming less available to him,” he added, “so he attempts to compensate and gets a little off and confused and slips into a type of despair that reflects itself in his work.”
Although the actor admits to struggling in the past, he recently stated that he considers himself “fortunate” and “spared” not to have endured as some of his fellow performers sadly did and still do.
“I may be depressed, but I don’t know about it,” he said during the Venice Film Festival.
“People get into depression, and it’s very, very sad, and it can last, and it’s terrible.”
“I know it; I’ve had battles with similar things but not with the same ferocity. I feel fortunate to have been spared.”
After the tragic death of Robin Williams by suicide in 2014, the actors’ mental health became a source of concern.
Pacino attempted to lessen his workload in the 1980s by appearing in only a few films. “That was excellent for me,” he remarked of his time away from the camera. “It was enjoyable for me. But, as is often the case, the money runs out.”
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression. That equates to around 280 million people worldwide.
The illness is a primary cause of disability worldwide and has the potential to lead to suicide.
Despite being one of the most common mental health illnesses, most of those affected do not obtain treatment.
The NHS recognizes that everyone will suffer from depression at some point, but it becomes an issue when the disorder takes over your life and prevents you from conducting day-to-day tasks.
Depression can be caused by several circumstances, including negative life events or stress. Depression and physical health have been linked in the past. Depression, for example, can be caused by cardiovascular illness.
Doctors will describe the severity of the problem once it has been diagnosed. This might range from mild to moderate to severe depression—the most potent depression, where it is nearly impossible to function in daily life.
If you are concerned about your or someone you know’s mental health, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If someone has suicidal thoughts, they can call the Samaritans on 116 123 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
