Dustin Hoffman: His Best Roles Through The Years

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Dustin Hoffman

Born August 8, 1937 in Los Angeles, Dustin Hoffman was destined to become a star! Training in music at the Los Angeles Conservatory and later in theater at the Pasadena Playhouse, Dustin had dreams of making it big in Hollywood. While his family didn't always believe he had the looks to make it as an actor, Dustin never gave up his dream and after years of hard work would finally land a spot in a Broadway production!

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'The Graduate'

Years of living in New York with his roommates Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall just barely scraping by would soon pay off. After scoring his first walk on role in a Broadway play in 1961, Dustin Hoffman would be offered a number of smaller roles in television and films before landing his big breakthrough with 1967's The Graduate. Playing the lead of recent college graduate "Benjamin Braddock", Dustin's first big role would lead to an Academy Award nomination!

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'Midnight Cowboy'

While an average looking guy, Dustin Hoffman would prove that it is more than looks that make a star! However, after filming The Graduate, Dustin would turn down multiple films preferring to stay in New York and do theater. Accepting a role in 1969's Midnight Cowboy would originally only be to spite his critics, and spite them he would going on to receive yet another Oscar nomination and winning the film a Best Picture!

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'Little Big Man'

Regaining his confidence after the success of Midnight Cowboy, Dustin Hoffman would go on to star in 1971's hit Western Little Big Man as the 121 year old "Jack Crabb". While the film wouldn't gain Dustin any more award nominations, the film was warmly received by critics and would lead to his appearance in a number of major films in the following years, including 1973's historical drama Papillon.

RELATED: The Best Classic Western Films

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'Lenny'

Dustin Hoffman would continue to show off his talent excelling in nearly every role he took on. 1974's Lenny, which was based off the life of legendary stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce, would be no exception. While Dustin almost didn't take the part due to concerns about the strength of the script, he would again be nominated for Best Actor, and the film would be nominated for six Academy Awards in total!

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'All the President's Men'

Dustin Hoffman would show off his versatility and truly impress critics by taking on the part of real-life journalist "Carl Bernstein" in 1976's political thriller All the President's Men about the 1970's Watergate scandal. Dustin's character would be completely different from his last role as "Lenny Bruce", and critics could not get enough of his extraordinary talent with Entertainment Weekly even naming the film one of the most "Powerful Political Thrillers"!

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'Kramer vs. Kramer'

While Dustin Hoffman would continue to star in successful films throughout the 70s, including Marathon Man (1976) and Straight Time (1978), he would finally win his first Academy Award with 1979 legal drama Kramer vs. Kramer. Starring opposite Meryl Streep, the film would sweep that years award season, winning not only Best Actor, but also Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay!

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'Tootsie'

Dustin Hoffman would continue to see huge success with 1982 romantic comedy Tootsie despite disagreements with director Sydney Pollack. With a reputation of always being prepared and practicing until he perfected his part, Dustin would be quite disappointed with Pollack's lack of rehearsal time. While the film was still successful with Dustin going on to get his fifth Academy Award nomination, he would take a break from film after Tootsie, instead moving back to theater and taking on a part in a Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.

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'Rain Man'

While Dustin Hoffman would continue to do well in theater, even winning a Golden Globe and the 1985 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in the TV movie of Death of a Salesman, Dustin would make his big film comeback in 1988 with comedy drama Rain Man. Starring opposite Tom Cruise, Dustin spent over two years preparing for the role of autistic savant "Raymond Babbitt" by befriending autistic people to better understand them. His hard work would pay off and he would win his next Academy Award for Best Actor!

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'Wag the Dog'

Dustin Hoffman continued to show off his unique talent in both film and theater throughout the rest of the 20th century, even being nominated for a Tony award for his performance in a production of The Merchant of Venice. The 1990s were full of hit films including comedy Dick Tracy (1990), Hook (1991), Sleepers (1996), and 1997's comedy Wag The Dog.