Jameela Jamil has found herself at the center of an amusing anecdote after revealing she once knocked over legendary actor Al Pacino while attempting to smuggle food out of a Hollywood party. The incident, which took place at a gathering hosted by the head of the United Talent Agency, occurred around 2015 when Jamil was trying to make off with ten expensive wagyu steaks hidden beneath her skirt.
In a candid interview with the Guardian, Jamil recounted the humorous mishap, stating, "I knocked over Al Pacino at a party. It was at the head of UTA’s house back in maybe 2015. I’d stolen a bunch of food – they had really good wagyu steaks, so I took 10 wrapped in a cloth napkin, they were kind of bleeding." She described the comical scene of her shuffling out of the party as fast as she could when she accidentally collided with Pacino, leaving him on the floor as she fled the scene.
"And then I left him on the ground, because the steaks flew out from under my skirt, leaving this bloody streak across the white floor. I grabbed the steaks and ran out of the party," Jamil added, painting a vivid picture of her desperate escape.
Following the incident, Jamil took to her phone to text director Judd Apatow, who was also at the party, to cover her tracks. She humorously messaged him, "Sorry, I had to leave. I hope they catch that guy that knocked over Al Pacino." This lighthearted approach to a potentially embarrassing moment reflects Jamil's personality and her ability to laugh at herself.
Jamil, now 39, has had her share of struggles leading up to her breakout role in the NBC sitcom The Good Place. She revealed that at one point, she had just $17 left in her bank account after leaving her job at BBC Radio 1 and deciding to pursue a career as a writer and DJ. "I ran out of money and so I said, ‘Please can I have a job, any job, I will do anything,’” she recalled during an appearance on David Tennant Does a Podcast With…. "I was so desperate for money at that point. I had $17 left in my bank account. I was real keen."
Despite her initial struggles, Jamil’s fortunes changed when she was handed a series of auditions, including a role in a Las Vegas magic show that ultimately led to her casting in The Good Place. Interestingly, she had never acted before and was still focused on writing, which she pursued vigorously. One of her scripts caught the attention of executives, who encouraged her to audition for the show created by Mike Schur.
"They were the ones who said, ‘We want you to go to this audition for Mike Schur. You’ll have more power as a writer if you have a name for yourself, or you can just meet him and maybe he’ll put you in the writer’s room,’" Jamil explained. She went to the audition, not expecting much to come of it, but ended up landing both the magic show and the role in The Good Place, forcing her to make a difficult decision between the two opportunities.
Jamil ultimately chose to pursue her role in The Good Place, a decision that would change her life. The show, which centers around the afterlife and the complexities of morality, became a beloved series and showcased Jamil’s talent as an actress. She portrayed the character Tahani Al-Jamil, a role that resonated with audiences and earned her a dedicated fanbase.
Since her breakthrough, Jamil has expanded her career beyond acting, taking on roles in various projects, including Marvel’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Poker Face, and voice roles in animated series such as DuckTales and Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous. Her journey from struggling artist to a recognized figure in Hollywood is a testament to her resilience and talent.
As for the infamous encounter with Al Pacino, it serves as a humorous reminder of the unpredictable nature of life in the entertainment industry. Jamil’s ability to turn a potentially embarrassing moment into a lighthearted story showcases her charm and relatability, endearing her even further to fans.
In the end, Jameela Jamil’s journey reflects the ups and downs of pursuing a career in the arts, filled with unexpected twists and turns. From knocking over a Hollywood icon to overcoming financial struggles, her story resonates with many aspiring artists navigating their paths in the industry.
