Awarded and influential actor Dustin Hoffman turns 87: 7 of his best movies
With an illustrious career that spans over five decades, and known for his portrayals of emotionally vulnerable characters and also antiheroes, Dustin Hoffman was nominated seven times to the Best Actor category
Awarded and influential actor Dustin Hoffman turns 87: 7 of his best movies
Known for his portrayals of emotionally vulnerable characters and also antiheroes, the awarded and acclaimed actor Dustin Hoffman was born Dustin Lee Hoffman on August 8, 1937, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a Jewish family with a father, Harry Hoffman, who worked as a prop supervisor at Columbia Pictures, and a mother, Lillian, a pianist and jazz singer. Hoffman’s interest in acting began in his youth, but he initially pursued music, studying classical piano at Santa Monica College. Realizing his true passion lay in acting, Hoffman enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he forged a friendship with fellow aspiring actor Gene Hackman.
Hoffman’s early acting career was marked by struggle and perseverance. He moved to New York City in the 1960s, taking on various odd jobs while honing his craft. He studied at the Actors Studio under the guidance of Lee Strasberg and made his stage debut in off-Broadway productions. His breakout role came with the 1966 off-Broadway play “Eh?”, for which he won the Theatre World Award.
Hoffman’s film career took off with his performance in Mike Nichols’ “The Graduate” (1967), where he played Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate entangled in an affair with an older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The role earned Hoffman his first Academy Award nomination and established him as a major Hollywood star.
Throughout the 1970s, Hoffman delivered a series of critically acclaimed performances in films such as “Midnight Cowboy” (1969), where he portrayed Ratso Rizzo, a con artist. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Hoffman’s role became iconic. He continued to showcase his versatility in movies like “Lenny” (1974), “All the President’s Men” (1976), and “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), the latter earning him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
The 1980s and 1990s saw Hoffman taking on a diverse array of roles, further cementing his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation. He won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Raymond Babbitt, an autistic savant, in “Rain Man” (1988). His dedication to the role and his chemistry with co-star Tom Cruise received widespread praise.
Hoffman continued to deliver notable performances in films such as “Tootsie” (1982), where he played an out-of-work actor who dresses as a woman to secure a role, and “Wag the Dog” (1997), a satirical comedy about political spin, which earned him another Oscar nomination.
In the 2000s and beyond, Hoffman remained active in both film and television. He starred in movies like “Meet the Fockers” (2004), “Last Chance Harvey” (2008), and lent his voice to animated films like “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and its sequels. He also made his directorial debut with “Quartet” (2012), a film about retired opera singers.
Dustin Hoffman’s first marriage to Anne Byrne in 1969 ended in divorce in 1980. The couple had two children, Karina and Jenna. In 1980, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen, and they have four children: Jacob, Rebecca, Maxwell, and Alexandra. Hoffman’s family life has been a source of stability and support throughout his career.
Known for his intense dedication to his roles, Hoffman is also recognized for his activism and philanthropy. He has been involved in various charitable causes, including those supporting children, health, and the arts.
With an illustrious career that spans over five decades and marked by a wide range of roles, overall, Dustin Hoffman was nominated seven times to the Best Actor category. He has also been awarded with three Drama Desk Awards and, two Emmy Awards. Here’s 7 of his very best movies today that he turns 87.
7 – “All President’s Men”, 1976
6 – “The Graduate”, 1967
5 – “Papillon”, 1973
4 – “Tootsie”, 1982
3 – “Kramer vs. Kramer”, 1979
2 – “Midnight Cowboy”, 1969
“Rain Man”, 1987
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