Al Pacino says he went from $50 million to broke, joining a long list of stars who've experienced money troubles

Al Pacino says he went from $50 million to broke by spending too much, ignoring his finances, and using an accountant who ultimately went to prison for fraud.

He joins a long list of celebrities who've made and lost vast fortunes during their careers.

The "Scarface" actor, 84, detailed a host of money problems in his new autobiography, "Sonny Boy."

One of his first cash crunches occurred after he finished making "The Godfather," and MGM Studios sued him for taking that role when it had already cast him in a Mafia comedy.

"I had to hire lawyers to help get me out of that contract. Soon I was $15,000 in debt to the lawyers too."

In a scene somewhat reminiscent of a mob movie, Pacino set up a meeting with the studio's boss and asked him to back down.

"You're killing me. I don't have any money, and I have to keep paying for lawyers because you keep suing me," he wrote.

The studio head agreed to back off in return for Pacino letting MGM have the first look at any book or script he wanted to make — an offer Pacino couldn't refuse.

The born-and-bred New Yorker went on to make a fortune starring in movies such as "Heat" and "Donnie Brasco." He said he virtually ignored his finances for most of his career, trusting his accountant to manage his cash.

"I was broke," Pacino wrote. "I had $50 million, and then I had nothing. I had property, but I didn't have any money."

"Even though I only had two cars, I was somehow paying for 16, along with 23 cell phones I didn't know about," he added. "The landscaper was getting $400,000 a year and, mind you, that was for landscaping at a house I didn't even live in."

Ref: Al Pacino says he went from $50 million to broke, joining a long list of stars who've experienced money troubles (businessinsider)