Al Pacino says he "gave" Bruce Willis his career by turning down 'Die Hard'.

The 'Goodfellas' actor claims he was offered the lead role of John McClane in the action flick, which eventually became a money-spinning franchise with Willis in the lead role, and also the chance to play Han Solo in 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope', which he turned down for Harrison Ford to fill the void.

Speaking to an intimate crowd at the London Palladium on Sunday night, he said: "I gave that boy [Bruce] a career. You know who else I gave a career to? Harrison Ford in 'Star Wars'. That role was mine for the taking but I couldn't understand the script."

The 73-year-old star also said he turned down the lead role in romantic comedy 'Pretty Woman', which turned actor Richard Gere into a household name.

Admitting he may have been wrong to turn down the now classic films, the actor cheekily added: "I'm not a good judge of what's good."

The celebrated screen icon - who has received eight Academy Award nominations and earned a prestigious Oscar for his role in 'Scent of a Woman' - also spoke of his mischievous childhood, including smoking at the age of nine and being offered alcohol by a police officer when he was a teenager.

He said: "I was smoking at nine and smoking a pipe by 12... well, I was dramatic. The cop on the beat used to buy us booze when I was 13 and 14. He was a great guy. He would say, 'Have a little of this', and he would keep a watch on us. I don't know that it would be politically correct but he is not working anymore and is long retired."