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Al Pacino Seen as Joe Paterno on 'Happy Valley' Set

Al Pacino walks around the set of his upcoming movie Happy Valley on Monday morning (July 17) in New York City.

The 77-year-old actor is playing the role of disgraced Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in the film, which is following the scandal that erupted surrounding Jerry Sandusky.

Paterno died in January 2012, just months after he was fired from his job following the revelation that he covered up Sandusky‘s sexual abuse crimes.

This isn’t the first time that Pacino is playing a football coach. He previously played a fictional one in the movie Any Given Sunday.

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Al Pacino to Play Joe Paterno in HBO's Sandusky Movie

Al Pacino will be playing the role of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in an upcoming HBO original movie about the Jerry Sandusky scandal, according to THR.

The film will follow the downfall of Paterno and the football program at Penn State after it was revealed they knew about Sandusky‘s sexual abuse offenses, but did little to stop it.

Barry Levinson, who just directed HBO’s The Wizard of Lies, is set to direct and executive produce the movie.

Pacino and Levinson previously worked together on HBO’s You Don’t Know Jack, which earned the actor an Emmy.

Joe Paterno Dies at 85

Longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has died.

The 85-year-old coach passed away on Sunday (January 22) after fighting lung cancer.

“He died as he lived,” Joe‘s family said in a statement to the Associated Press. “He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.”

Joe had been hospitalized since January 13 for observation; he was previously admitted for a week-long stay as he recovered from a broken pelvis.

Joe Paterno Hospitalized in Serious Condition

Former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno is now in serious condition after experiencing health complications.

The 85-year-old iconic coach was diagnosed with lung cancer back in November shortly after being fired from his coaching position. He was let go in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former assistant Jerry Sandusky. Joe has been in the hospital since January 13 for observation.

“His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” Paterno family spokesman, Dan McGinn, told the Associated Press.

This notes the second time Joe‘s been in the hospital recently. He was previously admitted for a week-long stay recovering from a broken pelvis.