Entertainment

Happy birthday Dustin Hoffman: A glimpse into his incredible journey in cinema

Academy award winning actor Dustin Hoffman celebrates his 80th birthday today. Here is a glimpse into his incredible journey in cinema.
Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman celebrates his 80th birthday today and here is a glimpse into his incredible career spanning over five decades. (Photo | AP)
Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman celebrates his 80th birthday today and here is a glimpse into his incredible career spanning over five decades. (Photo | AP)
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Dustin Hoffman was an unknown Broadway actor until 'The Graduate' happened. A perfectionist to the core and an actor who stuck to the books till it was banal, Hoffman played characters and chose films which were noted for their uniqueness and inadvertently making that the point. (Photo | AP)
Dustin Hoffman was an unknown Broadway actor until 'The Graduate' happened. A perfectionist to the core and an actor who stuck to the books till it was banal, Hoffman played characters and chose films which were noted for their uniqueness and inadvertently making that the point. (Photo | AP)
From 'Kramer V Kramer', 'Papillon', 'Rain Man', 'All the President's Men' and to playing Master Shifu in the animation hit 'Kung Fu Panda', Dustin Hoffman has made versatility synonymous to his name. He has won two Academy Awards, 3 BAFTAs, 2 Emmys and the AFI Life Achievement Award. (Photo | United Artists)
From 'Kramer V Kramer', 'Papillon', 'Rain Man', 'All the President's Men' and to playing Master Shifu in the animation hit 'Kung Fu Panda', Dustin Hoffman has made versatility synonymous to his name. He has won two Academy Awards, 3 BAFTAs, 2 Emmys and the AFI Life Achievement Award. (Photo | United Artists)
Born on 8 August 1937 in Los Angeles, Dustin Hoffman's life was painful and embedded with traumatic experiences which would later pave way for his understanding about human struggle. After trying out to be a medicine student in Santa Monica College, Hoffman joined the Pasedena Playhouse. After doing off-Broadway productions he studied Method Acting in The Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg. (Photo | United Artists)
Born on 8 August 1937 in Los Angeles, Dustin Hoffman's life was painful and embedded with traumatic experiences which would later pave way for his understanding about human struggle. After trying out to be a medicine student in Santa Monica College, Hoffman joined the Pasedena Playhouse. After doing off-Broadway productions he studied Method Acting in The Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg. (Photo | United Artists)
Director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for the Broadway musical 'The Apple Tree' but snubbed him due to his singing skills. Dustin's performance nevertheless earned him the leading role in Nichols' 'The Graduate' in 1967. The film, lauded for its direction and portrayal of Benjamin Braddock by Dustin Hoffman was a huge box-office hit and received seven Academy Award nominations and won the Best Director Award for Nichols. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
Director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for the Broadway musical 'The Apple Tree' but snubbed him due to his singing skills. Dustin's performance nevertheless earned him the leading role in Nichols' 'The Graduate' in 1967. The film, lauded for its direction and portrayal of Benjamin Braddock by Dustin Hoffman was a huge box-office hit and received seven Academy Award nominations and won the Best Director Award for Nichols. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
In 1974, Dustin Hoffman received another Academy Award nomination when he starred as Lenny Bruce in the biopic, 'Lenny'. The life of the comedian, who died at the age of 40, was adapted into a film version by Bob Fosse. Hoffman played Lenny with the same helplessness and madness which was associated with the real life man but film critics like Katherine Lowry speculated that Hoffman wasn't allowed to experiment in developing the character because of director Robert Fosse. (United Artists/MGM)
In 1974, Dustin Hoffman received another Academy Award nomination when he starred as Lenny Bruce in the biopic, 'Lenny'. The life of the comedian, who died at the age of 40, was adapted into a film version by Bob Fosse. Hoffman played Lenny with the same helplessness and madness which was associated with the real life man but film critics like Katherine Lowry speculated that Hoffman wasn't allowed to experiment in developing the character because of director Robert Fosse. (United Artists/MGM)
Made less than two years after the infamous Watergate scandal, 'All The President's Men' had Hoffman along with Robert Redford play the famous reporters- Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of Washington Post who brought out the scam. (Photo | Warner Bros.)
Made less than two years after the infamous Watergate scandal, 'All The President's Men' had Hoffman along with Robert Redford play the famous reporters- Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of Washington Post who brought out the scam. (Photo | Warner Bros.)
A career defining movie for Dustin Hoffman, John Schlesiner's 'Marathon Man' of 1976 (the film was also important considering the extensive use of steadicam, a month before Rocky - where the use of the gear was used iconically, was released) featured him alongside legend Laurence Olivier and Jon Scheider. Hoffman, to get into the character did not sleep for days, remained disheveled and followed an unhealthy lifestyle. (Photo | Paramount Pictures)
A career defining movie for Dustin Hoffman, John Schlesiner's 'Marathon Man' of 1976 (the film was also important considering the extensive use of steadicam, a month before Rocky - where the use of the gear was used iconically, was released) featured him alongside legend Laurence Olivier and Jon Scheider. Hoffman, to get into the character did not sleep for days, remained disheveled and followed an unhealthy lifestyle. (Photo | Paramount Pictures)
In 1979, Dustin Hoffman starred in 'Kramer Vs Kramer' alongside another powerhouse of acting, Meryl Streep. Directed by Robert Benton, the film talked about divorce and the shooting of the film coincided with Hoffman's real life divorce from Anne Byrne. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
In 1979, Dustin Hoffman starred in 'Kramer Vs Kramer' alongside another powerhouse of acting, Meryl Streep. Directed by Robert Benton, the film talked about divorce and the shooting of the film coincided with Hoffman's real life divorce from Anne Byrne. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
The turbulent times pushed the actor even further. To attain authenticity, Hoffman and Streep improvised many scenes and director Benton in many scenes continued to roll even after the scripted scenes were over. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
The turbulent times pushed the actor even further. To attain authenticity, Hoffman and Streep improvised many scenes and director Benton in many scenes continued to roll even after the scripted scenes were over. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
In one scene, Hoffman (an act which Hoffman regrets till now) threw a wine glass at the wall beside Mery Streep. In the now famous climax of the film, Hoffman was supposed to say a different line but just before taking the shot, Meryl Streep asked him 'How do I look?' and Hoffman replied, 'You look terrific'. Bob Benton liked the exchange and decided to keep it in the film instead of the scripted one. The scene is one of the most remembered climaxes in movie history ever today. Hoffman won his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
In one scene, Hoffman (an act which Hoffman regrets till now) threw a wine glass at the wall beside Mery Streep. In the now famous climax of the film, Hoffman was supposed to say a different line but just before taking the shot, Meryl Streep asked him 'How do I look?' and Hoffman replied, 'You look terrific'. Bob Benton liked the exchange and decided to keep it in the film instead of the scripted one. The scene is one of the most remembered climaxes in movie history ever today. Hoffman won his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
In Sydney Pollack's 'Tootsie' (1982), Hoffman played Michael Dorsey, a struggling actor who refuses to compromise onstage, sticking to the books to the point of going banal, a lot of it reflecting his real life persona. In picture: Sydney Pollack and Dustin Hoffman from a scene in 'Tootsie'. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
In Sydney Pollack's 'Tootsie' (1982), Hoffman played Michael Dorsey, a struggling actor who refuses to compromise onstage, sticking to the books to the point of going banal, a lot of it reflecting his real life persona. In picture: Sydney Pollack and Dustin Hoffman from a scene in 'Tootsie'. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
Dorsey dresses up as a woman when it becomes the only way to land a role in a TV soap. Tootsie landed Hoffman his fifth nomination. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
Dorsey dresses up as a woman when it becomes the only way to land a role in a TV soap. Tootsie landed Hoffman his fifth nomination. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
Apart from starring extremely popular movies, Hoffman also starred in one of the biggest flops Hollywood has ever produced - 'Ishtar' (1987). Produced by Warren Beatty, the film was about two songwriters who go to Morocco for a performance and gets caught up in the tussle. The film, though a flop, later achieved cult status. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
Apart from starring extremely popular movies, Hoffman also starred in one of the biggest flops Hollywood has ever produced - 'Ishtar' (1987). Produced by Warren Beatty, the film was about two songwriters who go to Morocco for a performance and gets caught up in the tussle. The film, though a flop, later achieved cult status. (Photo | Columbia Pictures)
Barry Levinson's 'Rain Man' had Dustin Hoffman playing an autistic prodigy brother to Tom Cruise's character. At the age of 21, Hoffman had worked at the New York Psychiatric Institute and later attributed to the experience and exchanges he had with the patients there to his process behind developing the character of Raymond in the film. (Photo | MGM/UA Communications Company)
Barry Levinson's 'Rain Man' had Dustin Hoffman playing an autistic prodigy brother to Tom Cruise's character. At the age of 21, Hoffman had worked at the New York Psychiatric Institute and later attributed to the experience and exchanges he had with the patients there to his process behind developing the character of Raymond in the film. (Photo | MGM/UA Communications Company)
Hoffman explained that ' deep inside, Rain Man is about how autistic we all are' as his motivation to do the film. 'Rain Man' bagged four Academy Award in 1989 for- Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Director. (Photo | AP)
Hoffman explained that ' deep inside, Rain Man is about how autistic we all are' as his motivation to do the film. 'Rain Man' bagged four Academy Award in 1989 for- Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Director. (Photo | AP)
According to Barry Levinson, who directed him in 'Rain Man', '(Hoffman) is intelligent and has a great sense of how to connect with people, because he's very interesting. On a day-to-day basis, he's like an actor who's making his first movie, with the enthusiasm and energy to want to make things happen and try things and experiment.'. Happy birthday Rain Man. (Photo | AP)
According to Barry Levinson, who directed him in 'Rain Man', '(Hoffman) is intelligent and has a great sense of how to connect with people, because he's very interesting. On a day-to-day basis, he's like an actor who's making his first movie, with the enthusiasm and energy to want to make things happen and try things and experiment.'. Happy birthday Rain Man. (Photo | AP)
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