Al Pacino has had an illustrious career, but his breakout role in The Godfather almost didn’t happen. Diane Keaton, who famously dated the actor, revealed that she was actually cast in the flick first, and casting agents were planning to pass on Al Pacino. A chance reading between Pacino and Keaton changed their minds. It seems their chemistry shone through, and while things didn’t work out long-term, Keaton did once describe Al Pacino as the love of her life.

Diane Keaton revealed she was cast on ‘The Godfather’ before Al Pacino

Did you know Diane Keaton may have been responsible for the casting of Al Pacino in The Godfather? At least that is the way she once told it. In 2022, Keaton, who died on October 11 at the age of 79, sat down for an interview with Entertainment Tonight. She told the outlet that producers weren’t sold on Al Pacino while casting The Godfather. In fact, she insisted they didn’t want him at all, but was on set and read with Keaton, who had already been cast. As she remembers it, the reading changed everything and helped producers see Pacino in the role.

Al Pacino famously portrayed Michael Corleone in the flick. Keaton had already landed the role of Kay Adams-Corleone, Michael’s second wife, when Pacino was still being considered. Al Pacino more or less confirmed her story, saying that Keaton was a “god gift” on the set of The Godfather. They both reprised their roles in The Godfather: Part II and The Godfather: Part III.

Why didn’t their romance work out?

Their chemistry didn’t just make for a great flick; it translated into an off-screen romance, too. Diane Keaton and Al Pacino dated for several years after meeting during the production of The Godfather, but their romance never ended in marriage. Pacino moved on and fathered three children, though he never married. Keaton moved on, too, dating several men over the years but also never marrying. She adopted two children as a single parent. In 2023, told AARP magazine that she had no plans for a future romance.

Despite their stances on marriage, Al Pacino and Diane Keaton were clearly fond of each other. So fond, in fact, that she called him the love of her life in her 2011 memoir, Then Again. It would make sense that she would feel that way, having dated him on and off for 15 years. So, why did they split up? According to several sources, the couple called it quits for good in 1990 because Pacino was unwilling to commit to marriage. Keaton herself said she gave the Scarface star an ultimatum. She recalled telling him they either needed to get married or part ways for good. She spoke eloquently about the heartbreak.