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Al Pacino has addressed a “horrific” Hollywood rumor about his career that has been circulating since the 1970s.

The actor has reflected on his career while releasing his new memoir, in which he looks back on his life, his achievements, key roles he has played over the last four decades and misconceptions about some of his most famous films.

In Sonny Boy, Pacino talks about his relationship with the organization behind the Oscars, which was initially shattered when he turned down the event after receiving his first nomination for Francio's Ford Coppola in 1973 The Godfather – a film he was almost fired from.

It has been claimed for decades that Pacino did not attend the ceremony to protest his Best Supporting Actor nomination; The theory is that the star believed he should have been nominated alongside Marlon Brando in the Best Actor category.

However, Pacino, then 23, disputes this claim in the new memoir, admitting that he did not attend the ceremony out of “fear.”

He wrote: “I recently learned that there is a perception in the industry that I turned down the Oscars – that I didn't attend the ceremony because I was nominated for it.” The Godfather as a supporting actor and not as a main actor. That I felt kind of insulted because I thought I deserved to be nominated in the same category as Marlon.

“Can you believe this was a rumor back then that I only recently found out about, all these years later?” This largely explains the distance I felt when I came to Hollywood to visit and work. It was horrifying to find out now, after missing all those opportunities to deny it and not even knowing people thought of me that way. “

The Academy would soon pardon Pacino and nominate him for it Serpico, The Godfather Part II, Dog Day afternoon, And justice for all, Dick Tracy, Glengarry Glen Ross, Scent of a woman – for which he won – and The Irishman.

However, Pacino thinks so Scarface should be on this list. While promoting the memoirs about the Today The actor, who played Tony Montana in Brian De Palma's 1983 film, said: “I would have liked to have even been nominated for that film.”

Scarface was a major critical flop at the time of release, and Pacino wrote in his memoir, “Sometimes an audience doesn't immediately know exactly what they're seeing, and it takes time to take it in and absorb it.”

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He added: “Scarface didn’t get any attention at the Oscars. I can't emphasize enough the incredible job Brian De Palma did on Scarface, charting the film and giving it so much dynamism and scope. He pushed himself to the limit. Why he wasn’t honored for this will forever puzzle me.”

Sonny Boy is available now.