UPDATED 3/11, 7:55 p.m. ET: Al Pacino is weighing in on his awkward moment at the Oscars.
In case you missed it, the Scarface actor was in charge of presenting the Academy Award for Best Picture. Without announcing any of the other nominees, Pacino revealed Oppenheimer as the recipient in a pretty anticlimactic way that probably had even the winners unsure if they actually won.
"There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the Best Picture award,” said the legendary actor, 83, to TMZ. “I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony."
Pacino added, "I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented. I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful. I say this as someone who profoundly relates with filmmakers, actors and producers so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight and it’s why I felt it necessary to make this statement.”
See original story below.
Al Pacino was selected to present the award for Best Picture at the Oscars, and he gave quite the performance.
Footage of him presenting made the rounds online on Sunday night. “Only one will take the award for Best Picture, and I have to go to the envelope for that,” he said in the viral clip. “And I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see Oppenheimer. Yes, yes,” he added, before reading the names on the card. He didn’t read any of the other nominees before revealing Oppenheimer to be the winner.
His announcement had the internet rolling. Check out some reactions below.
Part of the reason Pacino was chosen to present Best Picture this year was because it's the 50th anniversary of The Godfather II, where he played the iconic character Michael Corleone. The award is typically presented by a Hollywood legend, who are by defalt often elderly people.
The 83-year-old Pacino made headlines last year when he discovered that his girlfriend, 29-year-old Noor Alfallah was pregnant. The news reportedly “shocked” him because he thought it was impossible. He asked for a DNA test to prove he was the father and Alfallah complied, later confirming that he was the father. The couple welcomed their son Roman last June.
