Reba McEntire’s Happy Place Takes a Playful Jab at Al Pacino Welcoming a Baby at 83
Happy’s Place humorously commented on Al Pacino becoming a father again at the age of 83.
In the episode aired on Friday, November 21, Gabby (Melissa Peterman) was searching for a sperm donor. Unsure if she wanted to go with a stranger, Steve (Pablo Castelblanco) suggested she consider someone closer to her.
Gabby considered Bobbie’s (Reba McEntire) boyfriend, Emmett (Rex Linn), but Steve pointed out that he might be “too old” for the role.
“He’s not too old. Al Pacino had a kid at 83,” Gabby argued, to which Steve quipped, “Yeah, and Al Pacino is the one in the stroller.”
Now 85, Pacino first became a father in 1989 with the birth of his daughter Julie Marie, whom he shares with ex Jan Tarrant. He also has twins, Anton and Olivia, with ex Beverly D’Angelo, whom he dated on and off from 1997 to 2003.
In June 2023, Pacino’s representative confirmed that he and girlfriend Noor Alfallah were expecting their first child together. They welcomed son Roman later that year, though their relationship eventually ended.
Three months after Roman’s birth, Alfallah, age 31, sought sole physical custody of their child, which was granted. Pacino retained visitation rights and shares legal custody, allowing him to be involved in decisions relating to schooling, medical treatment, and religion.
Pacino isn’t the only celebrity making news for welcoming children later in life; his friend Robert De Niro surprised fans in 2023 by announcing he had a baby with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
“It feels great,” De Niro, now 82, shared with Hoda Kotb in May 2023. “With age comes a certain awareness about dynamics, family, and everything in life. You learn to navigate these things.”
In addition to daughter Gia, De Niro has a son, Raphael, with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott. He previously adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena. In 1995, De Niro and Toukie Smith welcomed twins, Julian and Airyn. He also has a son and daughter, Elliot and Helen, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.
“My children sometimes disagree with me, but they’re respectful,” De Niro told ET Canada in 2023 when asked if he considers himself a “cool” dad. “My 11-year-old daughter gives me a hard time, and we argue, but I adore her. And with my youngest, I’m sure more challenges will come. That’s just how it is.”
On Happy’s Place, Gabby ultimately decided against Emmett and chose to pursue a sperm donor instead.
“Gabby would want Channing Tatum. She’s going to dream big,” Peterman, 54, shared exclusively with Us Weekly during a joint interview with Castelblanco. “Dream big or go home.”
The duo even mentioned Jon Hamm’s name in jest, saying, “I’m sure Gabby was on the dark web trying to find someone good to donate. I think she had fun shopping.”
Happy’s Place airs on NBC on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET and is available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
