Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino has expressed it is a “profound honour” to be named the recipient of the Sam Wanamaker Award, recognising his deep and enduring connection to the works of William Shakespeare.
The prestigious accolade, established by Shakespeare’s Globe in 1994, celebrates individuals who have significantly enhanced the public’s understanding and enjoyment of the legendary playwright’s canon. The award itself is named after the Globe’s founder, Sam Wanamaker.
Pacino, 86, renowned for his iconic performances in films such as Scarface and The Godfather trilogy, boasts an equally celebrated career on stage, bringing to life numerous Shakespearean characters.
These include his acclaimed portrayal of Shylock in The Merchant Of Venice, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, and the titular role in Richard III.
Reflecting on the award, Pacino stated: “Throughout my life, the theatre has given me a sense of purpose and belonging, and Shakespeare has always been a guiding force in that journey.
“His writing, in all its dimensions, has been a continuing presence in my life, and so many others. To receive the Sam Wanamaker Award at Shakespeare’s Globe – a living testament to Sam’s passion and dedication to the theatre – is a profound honour. I’m deeply grateful.”
His commitment to Shakespeare extends beyond performance; he wrote and directed the 1996 documentary Looking For Richard, which explored the contemporary relevance and accessibility of the Bard’s plays.
The US actor is also set to star as King Lear in the forthcoming film Lear Rex, alongside Jessica Chastain and Ariana DeBose. His illustrious career also includes two Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and the Best Actor Oscar for his role in Scent Of A Woman in 1993.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
This year, the Globe is also launching the Sam Wanamaker Young Artist Award, designed to recognise emerging talent at the outset of their Shakespearean careers.
Rawaed Asde has been named the inaugural recipient, following his professional stage debut in Romeo And Juliet at the Globe in 2025, which earned him a commendation in the 2026 Ian Charleson Awards. Asde can currently be seen playing Swiss Cheese in Mother Courage And Her Children at the Globe.
Michelle Terry, the Globe’s artistic director, praised Pacino’s impact: “Al Pacino’s performances and productions of Shakespeare have transformed how people perceive and receive these incredible plays, the complicated human beings they contain and the profound and complex stories they weave.
“He has and will continue to inspire generations of artists to follow in his footsteps and carry the torch of hope and humanity through the stories they tell and the ways that they tell them. Rawaed Asde is one of those artists and it gives me the greatest pride and pleasure to celebrate and honour these incredible human beings and artists.”
Additionally, the Sam Wanamaker Appreciation Award was presented to Mary McNulty, acknowledging her 40 years of dedicated service at the theatre, during which she has “inspired thousands of students, teachers and fellow practitioners”.
