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Al Pacino turns 80 today.

He's one of the premiere actors of our age.  He got a lot of attention for his dynamic stage work in the 1960s, and then burst full-blown as a major film star in the 1970s.  But unlike some other stars, he's regularly gone back to the stage throughout his career, playing all sorts of roles from Shakespeare to O'Neill to Mamet.

The early 70s was a time of exploration in American cinema, and also a time when men who weren't Hollywood handsome (Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, etc.) became stars.  Pacino got some notice for his starring role in The Panic In Needle Park (1971) and then became a major name with his leading role (yes, it's the lead) in The Godfather (1972), even though the studio had not been thrilled the part was played by an unknown. Pacino held the movie together, got stellar reviews and was nominated for an Oscar.

Now he could pick his roles and did movies such as Serpico, The Godfather: Part II and Dog Day Afternoon, each time receiving an Oscar nomination.  When the 80s rolled around many thought he picked worse parts, though there were films like Scarface (not well-respected in its day but considered a classic by many now) and Sea Of Love.

In 1990 he showed his comic side as Big Boy Caprice in Dick Tracy.  And he finally won an Oscar for 1992's Scent Of A Woman (though some felt it was an award for his entire career). Other major titles of the decade include Glengarry Glenn Ross, Carlito's Way, Heat, Donnie Brasco and The Insider.

While he's continued to create fine work in movies and on TV in the 21st century, sometimes you feel he's doing it for the money.  In fact, since Scent Of A Woman, his only Oscar-nominated role came last year in his first film with Martin Scorsese, The Irishman, where he played Jimmy Hoffa.

Living in L.A., I've actually seen Pacino a couple times, both after a screening of his work.  He's directed some small films that did not get wide release, and at Cinefamily I saw a double bill of Chinese Coffee (2000) and Salome (2013).  He came out afterwards to discuss how and why he made them.  Another time there was a showing of The Panic In Needle Park at the New Beverly and he was a surprise guest, discussing his early days in film.

I think actors (and writers and directors) should be judged by their best work.  And if that's done for Pacino, there aren't too many who can top him.