‘It Was A Full Circle Moment.’ Da’Vine Joy Randolph Says Al Pacino Gave Her Great Advice About Fame That Came Back Into Focus When They Met Again Years Later

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Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Da’Vine Joy Randolph‘s star rise in Hollywood, and I believe there’s still so much more to come from this incredible talent. Now, with over a decade under her belt in this industry, she’s shared a heartfelt story about a pivotal moment early on in her career – advice given by the legendary Al Pacino. This insightful guidance, which resonated deeply, was revisited when they worked together again years later. Truly, it felt like a “full circle” moment for Randolph.

Actress from “Dolemite Is My Name” appeared as a guest on the “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” podcast on Sirius XM, where she delved into various aspects of her career. During the chat, Da’Vine Randolph recounted a pivotal but somewhat abstract encounter with the star of “Scarface”. Years later, this seemingly symbolic advice he imparted proved to be transformative for her. She described his wisdom as follows:

Essentially, he implied, ‘I sense your unique talent.’ But I countered, ‘You haven’t witnessed my talents yet, as you haven’t watched the show.’ He then responded by saying, ‘It’s not about the craft itself, but the passion with which it’s carried. Just like a private jet can’t carry much luggage or many people, your dedication to your craft is evident.’ To this, I replied, ‘Unlike a private plane, I travel via Amtrak and Greyhound buses between Philadelphia.’

In that instance, it appeared surreal, undoubtedly so to the alumnus of “High Fidelity.” Right from the start, Al Pacino recognized Randolph as exceptional and has already delivered several performances worthy of an Oscar since their 2014 dialogue. Of course, Pacino isn’t alone in this sentiment, as many other stars have given performances that deserved an Academy Award and were ultimately rewarded for their efforts. Thus, Randolph is indeed in esteemed company.

During a recent interview, the actress from “The Lost City” drew upon an analogy shared by another actor. She then elaborated on her journey, likening it to a well-known ascent.

Or more casually:
In her latest chat, the actress from “The Lost City” borrowed an analogy used by another performer. She proceeded to discuss her experience, comparing it to a famous climb we all know.

As your journey towards success continues, climbing higher and higher on the ladder of achievement, one person said, “That’s the life of an artist. Not everyone can join you on this ride as you ascend. You’ll need to shed some weight to reach the top. But when you do, I’ll be there, along with others who understand this journey. Together, you’ll create a small but meaningful community.” In 2014, this concept was beyond my comprehension, leaving me puzzled.

Indeed, given that the star, who became a parent at 83 years old in 2023, certainly had a unique ability to predict and accurately assess DaVine Joy Randolph’s career trajectory. It wouldn’t shock me if the message seemed perplexing and overwhelming for Randolph to fully grasp initially. Later on, the actress from “The United States vs Billie Holiday” shared her heartwarming experience when she found herself in a room alongside Pacino and other high-profile actors (and I suspect many actors would have been deeply moved in that situation).

They placed a ladder on the film set, and it seemed as if the crew members were contemplating the arrangement of the scene – deciding who would stand where. As preparations reached their final stages, people began to arrive, and I was taken aback when I spotted Robert De Niro, followed by Scarlett Johansson. Then, Al Pacino joined us, causing even more excitement. The crew was then gathering everyone, and I was the last one positioned. In the photo, Al Pacino stands beside the ladder, and they asked me to climb it. While we were filming, he occasionally looked up at me from the ladder, and I felt an intense emotional surge.

For Randolph, it was an unforgettable cinematic experience, basking in her industry achievements amidst peers at the pinnacle of their craft, truly grasping Pacino’s wisdom. It’s astonishing that this moment will live on forever in history. Indeed, it was a beautiful instance. What’s even more thrilling is that the future holds no bounds, as Randolph’s past successes in movies and shows merely set the stage for her to create even more remarkable work.

During her chat, Da’Vine Joy Randolph delved deeper into the question of whether Al Pacino recalls that particular instance.

It struck me that the situation I found myself in – a photo shoot while standing on a ladder – mirrored an event this man had once talked about, creating a sense of completion or coming full circle.

As a movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that the actress from “On the Come Up” is a dedicated artist who has seized every opportunity to learn from legends like Eddie Murphy, Sandra Bullock, and Paul Giamatti in our industry. But make no mistake, while she’s eager to gather wisdom from veterans, her performances are uniquely hers – and if her stunningly emotional portrayal in “The Holdovers” is any evidence, she’ll continue to deliver remarkable work in the future.

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2025-01-09 17:37