Dustin Hoffman’s journey to stardom is no less than a testament to resilience and an unwavering dedication to his craft. Starting his career on Broadway, Hoffman found fame and acclaim despite his ‘unconventional’ looks. Breaking barriers with his extraordinary performances, the actor’s initial run is often regarded as an era of nuanced and deeply human storytelling, even when most of his roles can be categorized as ‘anti-heroes’.
However, at the top of his game, Hoffman made the surprising decision to reject the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg four times. While Spielberg isn’t the only director he refused, the actor now deeply regrets making those mistakes.
Dustin Hoffman Jeopardized His Career by Rejecting Steven Spielberg Four Times!
Dustin Hoffman was just a star on Broadway when he ended up getting his breakthrough role in the 1967 movie, The Graduate. His first lead role in a major film, the actor’s performance of a college graduate was worthy enough to receive an Oscar nomination. While he would subsequently win several awards, including two Oscars, his performance in the movie set him up as a promising star.
Eventually more successful projects landed his way, yet the actor rejected the movies, wanting to carry on his career in theatre. After finding fame early on with The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy, John and Mary, and more, the actor still kept on rejecting movies (see Vanity Fair). In an interview with Time, Hoffman revealed how he even turned down Steven Spielberg four times!
After The Graduate, I was kind of first in line of my generation. When I think back, I think, I shouldn’t have turned Ingmar Bergman down twice. I shouldn’t have turned Spielberg down four times. I have spent many years in therapy finding out why. I tried to jeopardize my success, and in spite of myself, I couldn’t succeed. But I’m still sad that I made those mistakes.
Now regretful of missing several opportunities, Hoffman states elsewhere that he would look for excuses to not work. Having turned down several movies and directors, despite scripts lined up, Hoffman later revealed which of Spielberg’s movies he let go of before eventually working with him in Hook.
Steven Spielberg Movies that Dustin Hoffman Rejected
It is quite shocking to think that Dustin Hoffman is as successful of an actor today seeing the great many numbers of movies he has rejected. Not wanting to become a movie star, despite his first two roles in movies getting him an Oscar nomination, Hoffman in an interview with The Guardian opened up about the several roles and filmmakers he said no to.
While he would eventually end up working with Steven Spielberg in the 1991 movie Hook, here are the four Spielberg movies that Hoffman rejected,
Close Encounters. Spielberg says I’ve turned him down more than any other actor. We finally did Hook together. I just finally had to say yes! I’m glad I did it. So there’s Close Encounters [of the Third Kind], the one about slaves [Amistad] and a love story Richard Dreyfuss did [Always], and Schindler[‘s List].
Having turned down some of the best movies of Spielberg’s career, it is not only shocking but surprising that Spielberg persisted and cast Dustin Hoffman in Hook. While looking back now, one might state it wasn’t meant to be, Hoffman harbors a deep resentment for what he did back in the day.
