Dark horse Pacino dates actress half his age

Al Pacino, 63, is quietly dating New York actress Susan Floyd, who is almost half his age.

Pacino is still in the midst of a nasty custody dispute with ex-lover Beverly D’Angelo over their two-year-old twins but he’s not letting it get in the way of his new romance.

Pacino and Floyd, 35, first met over six years ago on the set of the Pacino-directed film Chinese Coffee, when she auditioned for the role of his girlfriend.

Pacino’s reps insist the two are just friends, but "there was no denying the attraction between them on the set," says a source. "Susan got the role, and now she’s got Al."

But being the famous actor’s girlfriend (a list that includes Diane Keaton, Penelope Ann Miller and acting teacher Jan Tarant, with whom he has a 12-year-old daughter) isn’t all champagne and roses.

"To be with Al, a woman needs to have patience and discretion. He’s very shy, very guarded and not always approachable. He doesn’t really like to go out, which means a lot of stay-at-home dates."

Adds the source: "Right now, Susan is like a breath of fresh air in Al’s life."