Dustin Hoffman (b.1937,) fully Dustin Lee Hoffman, is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his versatile portrayals of anti-heroes and emotionally vulnerable characters.
Born in Los Angeles, Hoffman studied music at the Santa Monica City College, acting at the Pasadena Playhouse (1956–58,) before beginning a career on stage and television in New York, interspersed with a variety of odd jobs.
Hoffman made his Broadway début in A Cook for Mr. General (1961) and achieved recognition with his performance in Journey of the Fifth Horse (1966.) Following a modest film début in The Tiger Makes Out (1967,) he received an Academy Award nomination for his first leading role in The Graduate (1967.)
Hoffman’s many anti-hero roles include Midnight Cowboy (1969,) Little Big Man (1970,) and Marathon Man (1976.) His method acting was in display in such films as All The President’s Men (1976,) Kramer vs. Kramer (1979; Academy Award,) Tootsie (1982,) Rain Man (1988; Academy Award,) Hook (1991,) and Sleepers (1996.)
Hoffman returned to Broadway in Death of a Salesman (1984,) winning an Emmy Award for the same role on television the following year. He tackled his first Shakespearean role on the London stage as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (1989.) Later films include Wag the Dog (1997,) Runaway Jury (2003,) Meet the Fockers (2004,) and Little Fockers (2010.)
Hoffman’s subsequent films include Stranger than Fiction (2006,) Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007,) Chance Harvey (2008,) Barney’s Version (2010.) Besides, Hoffman lent his voice to the computer-animated films The Tale of Despereaux (2008,) Kung Fu Panda (2008,) Kung Fu Panda2 (2011,) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016.)
Hoffman’s television appearances included Luck (2011–12,) Chef (2014,) and Esio Trot (2015.) He made his début as a film director with Quartet (2012.) In 2017, seven women accused Hoffman of sexual harassment.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Dustin Hoffman
One thing about being successful is that I stopped being afraid of dying. Once you’re a star you’re dead already. You’re embalmed.
—Dustin Hoffman
Topics: Fame
I envy people who can just look at a sunset. I wonder how you can shoot it. There is nothing more grotesque to me than a vacation.
—Dustin Hoffman
In my room as a kid… I’d play a fighter and get knocked to the floor and come back to win.
—Dustin Hoffman
Topics: Adversity
If you have this enormous talent, it’s got you by the balls, it’s a demon. You can’t be a family man and a husband and a caring person and be that animal. Dickens wasn’t that nice a guy.
—Dustin Hoffman
Topics: Talent
Money is another pressure. I’m not complaining, I’m just Saying that there’s a certain luxury in having no money. I spent 10 years in New York not having it, not worrying about it. Suddenly you have it, then you worry, where is it going? Am I doing the right thing with it?
—Dustin Hoffman
Topics: Opportunities, Reality
A good review from the critics is just another stay of execution.
—Dustin Hoffman
Topics: Critics, Criticism
Myth is supposed to bring us together, but fantasy alienates us.
—Dustin Hoffman
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