If Eric Roth has proven anything over his five decades in the film industry, it is that there is hardly anything he cannot write. From comedy dramas to romance, boxing biopics, post-apocalyptic action, spy thrillers, and science fiction, the Oscar-winning screenwriter has had his hand in a little bit of everything. No wonder he is one of the most in-demand writers in the business, and rightly so, has earned praise throughout his career. But now, the spotlight is turning to his son, Alec Roth, who is about to step into the world of entertainment himself.

Alec is about to make his debut as a director, and he is not doing it with just any actor, but with the legendary Al Pacino. Before his big break, Alec took the time to share some of his favorite works from his father’s extensive and acclaimed body of work. 

Alec Roth recently sat down for an Exclusive with Essentially Sports, where he was asked to pick his favorite works of his dad, Eric Roth. The soon-to-debut director chose the Oscar-winning film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Alec mentioned that the “family, personal stuff” in the romantic drama really hit home for him, and he found the film "incredible". He also mentioned the 2006 spy thriller The Good Shepherd.

Alec's reason for picking the Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie movie was, however, a lot more personal. He shared that it was during the making of this movie that Alec got the chance to visit London and spend time on the sets. While he had been around movie sets with his dad before, it was on the set of The Good Shepherd that he truly got a feel for “what it takes to make a movie.” He added, “That really changed my life.” In the years since, Alec has had many more such life-changing experiences, one of them being working with Al Pacino.

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In the same interview, Alec shared how Pacino’s passion as an actor impacted him—not just on a professional level, but personally too.

Al Pacino has a “special” place in Alec Roth’s life. The two have been working together for the past three years on their upcoming project, Billy Knight, which also happens to be Alec’s directorial debut. Sharing his thoughts on the experience, Alec described building a “surreal connection” with Pacino. He gushed about the legendary actor’s boundless energy and enthusiasm—even at the age of 83. “He changed my professional life and changed me as a human being as well,” Alec said.

When it comes to his father, Eric Roth, Alec had just as much admiration to share. He called out his dad’s “young spirit,” saying Eric is “still writing and still putting projects together” with the same fire he has always had, giving a special nod to the screenwriter’s latest blockbuster success, Dune. Surrounded by icons like these and learning from their approach to life and work, Alec seems to have already picked up plenty of wisdom ahead of his big break in the industry.

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