Al Pacino, the legendary actor, recently shared a heartfelt reason behind his decision to donate his entire salary from the 1980 film Cruising. He wanted to clear his conscience and make a positive impact after realizing the film’s controversial portrayal of the LGBT+ community.
Al Pacino’s Charitable Donation.
In his memoir Sonny Boy, Al Pacino revealed that he foresaw that Cruising might not be well-received in the future. He felt that the film had exploitative elements, which prompted him to give away his earnings to various charities that support the community. By doing this, he aimed to ensure that at least some good would come from a film he believed misrepresented the LGBT+ community.
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Al Pacino explained that he established a trust fund for his earnings. He said, “I took the money, and it was a lot, and I put it in an irrevocable trust fund. I gave it to charities, and with the interest, it was able to last a couple of decades.” Although he acknowledged that this gesture might not fully resolve his ethical concerns about the film, he felt relieved knowing the funds were used for humanitarian purposes.
Cruising, directed by William Friedkin, is based on a novel by Gerald Walker and centers around a police officer who goes undercover in New York City’s S&M gay subculture to catch a serial killer targeting gay men. The film sparked significant controversy during its release, especially among the LGBT+ community, leading to protests during filming.
Pacino’s decision to donate his earnings shows his commitment to using his success for a greater good. He stated, “I don’t know if it eased my conscience, but at least the money did some good.”
