Dustin Hoffman’s 5 Best Performances
His accolades in 2 Oscars, 3 BAFTAS and 6 Golden Globes
Dustin Hoffman’s career began with one of his most prominent roles. One that birthed the famous line “Mrs Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you?”. From there he’s been no stranger to award ceremonies and proven to be one of the most formidable actors to grace both stage and screen.
We at ScreenHeads now name our 5 favourites of the star’s career.
5. Bernie Focker in Meet The Fockers (2004)
As if having Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller wasn’t crazy enough, having Hoffman come in as Stiller’s father in a sequel ups the stakes. The legend portrays Bernie Focker, the sex driven, all smiles matriarch of the Focker clan.
A role you probably wouldn’t expect the actor to be in, but a welcome one for sure. Its definitely an added bonus watching Hoffman and De Niro bounce off each other with some hysterical outcomes.
James Brolin was originally chosen for the role, but turned it down. Director Jay Roach then approached Hoffman, and during their meeting the actor spoke non-stop. This made him the right man for the job in Roach’s eyes.
4. Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate (1967)
One of Hoffman’s first roles which was also a breakout for him. Directed by Mike Nichols, the star portrays a young man, fresh from graduating college (which you probably guessed) who is considerably down about the lack of excitement foreseen in his future. From there, he heads on an affair with an older woman and his life unravels from there.
Needless to say, Hoffman shines as this squeamish, inexperienced man. His chemistry with Anne Bancroft is tremendous and he plays the characters journey perfectly.
Mike Nichols confessed to feeling bad for Hoffman once this film made him a celebrity. He was noted as saying he could see the actor’s great discomfort at being interviewed on TV and said it reminded him of his actual portrayal of Benjamin Braddock.
Related Article: Did You Know This About…Dustin Hoffman
3. Raymond Babbitt in Rain Man (1988)
Definitely a standout performance. Hoffman portrays an autistic savant who is discovered to be the brother of a young wheeler dealer played by Tom Cruise, and is also the one of the two who solely inherits their recently deceased father’s fortune.
The role shows us Hoffman in a new light as he steps up his acting skills and really zones into a different type of performance. Quite successfully also.
Just 3 weeks into filming, Hoffman got cold feet about the film’s story and his own performance. He proclaimed to director Barry Levinson that he wanted out and it was the worst work of his life. Of course he stayed on, and ironically he won his second Oscar for Best Actor.
2. Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie (1982)
Dustin Hoffman in drag. It may have sounded ridiculous back in the day, but it made for one of Hoffman’s most impressive and funny portrayals to date. He stars as Michael Dorsey, a passionate but troublesome actor who is almost blacklisted from the industry by the time we meet him. His answer? Go out for a female role on a soap opera…which he gets, meaning he must then keep up the charade as the fictitious Dorothy Michaels.
He makes us laugh, he has us wide eyed and he really has us rooted in his character from start to finish. A must see in this star’s filmography.
Hoffman took the character so seriously that he ensured he played it as realistically as possible. His voice for Dorothy Michaels didn’t originally carry a Southern accent, however his research found that his voice fell more closely into a female pitch when he did it. Thats what you call a perfectionist.
1. Ted Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
In the top spot is the role that earned Hoffman his first Oscar win. He stars as Ted Kramer, an advertiser whose wife (played by Meryl Streep) leaves him and in doing so leaves him struggling to raise their son alone.
Every one of Hoffman’s scenes are as method as you get. He elevates the dialogue, he brings you into the scene with him, and you can feel every bit of emotion.
The argument scene in the bar with Meryl Streep is definitely a masterclass, with a big moment being where Hoffman’s character throws his wine glass at the wall. This particular moment actually wasn’t planned, with Hoffman choosing only to warn the cameraman to ensure he got it in the shot. Thus, Streep’s startled reaction is genuine and once she head “cut” she yelled at Hoffman for scaring her so badly.
–
What are your thoughts on our choices for Dustin Hoffman’s best performances? Think we got it right or think we’ve missed out some other top performances? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!