Dustin Hoffman On Why He Turned Sown ‘Schindler’s List’ | TODAY

At age 78, Dustin Hoffman is still acting, supplying one of the voices in the animated family feature “Kung Fu Panda 3.” “I thought it was the stupidest title,” Hoffman tells Lauer, and he admits he’s not sure what kind of talking animal he’s portraying in the film (it’s a red panda), but he also thinks it may be the best film in the franchise. He also talks about his regrets, such as turning down “Schindler’s List,” and speculates that maybe he didn’t think he deserved success.
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Dustin Hoffman On Why He Turned Sown ‘Schindler’s List’ | TODAY

[@marcusmanuel9284]

Dustin Hoffman is an extremely true talent. He is my favorite actor. I love Dustin Hoffman so much! He is still going strong at the age of 78.

[@ruly8153]

He’s also a rapy type

[@Orxan7]

One of the best actors of all time!!! True Legend!!!

[@Sbannmarie]

He’s the best

[@MOGGS1942]

I hope I look as good as he does at 78.

[@SupaPoopaScoopa]

Well certainly sounds sharper then most people after 45 year olds

[@RollinRocker]

Too bad he turned it sown. he would have been sreat.

[@RobotPorter]

You mean. Too bas he turnes it sown. He wouls have been great.

[@kevinzhang3313]

wouldnt have been the same with a method actor in the role, on realism rather than targeted depth.

[@mukulsingh118]

Roaring Twenties I know ghat you bean !

[@lionelbettinger9622]

Spell check NBC

[@Nonie46]

I believe he turned those roles down because he gets uncomfortable in being highly successful!

[@SpaceCattttt]

I think Dustin's the kind of man who cares more about the process of acting and the finished work than being famous. So when he's offered a part, no matter how great the script is, he will turn it down if he feels he isn't right for the film. It takes a humble man to care more about the success of the work rather than personal glory. And that's, ironically, why I think he deserves to be a star.Because he has a reputation as a serious actor, he brings that prestige with him to the films he makes, which in turn improves the chances of the film or play becoming successful. And that's what being a star should be about: Being a professional who brings attention to their work, and NOT their private lives. And I don't remember ever reading about Dustin in the gossip columns. Do you? He's a pure actor in the sense that he's always acting, whether he wants to or not. And there aren't too many actors around who "can't help themselves", but still remain captivating rather than annoying when they do "go off on one". Dustin's one of them, and that's also worth being a star for, in my opinion.

[@fabianpatrizio2865]

unlike today's bimbo fame seeking 'actors'

[@dfa3366]

What a great range of characters. He can do comedy like The Graduate and Tootsie to hardcore dramas like Midnight Cowboy to Kramer vs. Kramer and maybe his best work think in Lenny. Of course Rain Man.

[@natemarks7926]

straw dogs most definitely his most intense and disturbing role.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

and he was also hilarious in dramas, esp Midnight Cowboy. he could do anything back when he was able to translate himself into anything. then when he got a certain age his face wasn't able to morph into different things.

[@fleafrusciante6274]

@@natemarks7926 he was also great in the movie straight time where he embodies a bank robber perfectly

[@muir2809]

Absolutely love Dustin Hoffman. Such a legend

[@NoName-ub2db]

He is like Robin Williams!! You just love him!!

[@samkresil6011]

Well they HAVE both played men who dress as woman as a central plot.

[@mariexx__]

Sam Kresil I love him so much in Toostie 😍 Dorothy was amazing, really

[@Janemba126]

They both starred in Hook too!

[@KevinKlineisawesome]

I used to be a fan of Dustin and I admire him greatly to this day. I like Schindler's List. Rain Man was my most frequently watched movie of his.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

OMG! Midnight Cowboy?

[@marinasmith3763]

I can't imagine him as Oskar Schindler, Liam Neeson was the right choice for this role.

[@crpth1]

Dustin being the amazing actor he is. Ben Kingsley role, Liam Neeson role, or even Ralph Fiennes role. I'm pretty sure he would be amazing. AND you guys trust me on this, I do admire ANY of the mentioned. ;-)

[@HoldenNY22]

I think it was the Ben Kingsleyh role he turned down. Dustin defintely looks too Jewish to play either a German Businessman or a Nazi Commandant head of a Concentration Camp.

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

No! You haven't caught on. It would have been Stern, Schindler's linchpin in bringing about the success of this humanitarian enterprise against all the odds. In the movie, Stern was played by Sir Ben Kingsley, and it's difficult to imagine any actor, including Dustin Hoffman, turning in a more nuanced, understated performance than Kingsley.

[@jjtyson637]

dustin looks so much younger than 78

[@RyderDavis]

Benjamin Braddock, Ratso Rizzo, Jack Crabb, David Sumner, Louis Dega, Lenny Bruce, Carl Bernstein, Thomas "Babe" Levy, Ted Kramer, Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels, Willy Loman, Raymond Babbitt, Captain James Hook, Stanley Motts, Charles Frohman, Whew!

[@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853]

Bernie Focker,Harold Meyerowitz

[@technodroog]

Hoffman looks great for a 78 year-old

[@ebsenraptzski9522]

after plastic surgery

[@irandoosty]

A lot of it is he has most of his hair left.

[@datatsushi2016]

@@irandoosty yup. Weird how some guys go bald even before their thirties and other people don't

[@tombrunila2695]

Dustin Hoffman is a great actor, and part of being a great actor is to have superb intuition. And he turned down those parts because his subconsciously knew that they were not for him.

[@boyse69]

He's become a much calmer person now - He bought flowers for my girlfriend after being rude to her in a Hotel where she was working at the time in Harrogate The Old Swan . Time teaches it's lessons I'm sure he's no longer a rude man and I guess he learnt from that event , he must of been in his 30's about 40 years ago he was filming Straw Dogs I think at this time .

[@eternalsunshine6392]

what happened? like what did he do that was rude?

[@boyse69]

@@eternalsunshine6392 More in Manner ! She was a young Girl /Women at the time. He was just being what we used to call over friendly, but she was working. He kissed her at her desk she may of cried , he was then told by a colleague he'd upset Her . She was very lovely as a young women .Then he returned with flowers as a sorry sometime later . Storm in a Tea Cup-He was just being Him ! Nothing Nasty of course I doubt he'd even remember although she does have an memorable Christian Name , Who knows

[@thiagoteixeira6537]

He turned down so many legendary roles because he didn't think he deserved the success that came from it? Wow, now that's humility!

[@satinwhip]

That certainly explains why he took some of the roles he did over the years. So glad that he didn't turn down "Midnight Cowboy".

[@eriklf64]

He is the GOAT... No one played as many different roles al he did. Graduate, Little big man, Papillon, Marathon Man, Lenny, Tootsie... and the list goes on and on. DH is the GOAT!

[@nicolefoster7976]

Gosh he's amazing. He's my favorite actor. I mean, just look at all the characters he hasn't just played, but has become.

[@dgaubin]

"The chance to bring your gift into the same aperture as your life takes a lot of luck." Heavy.

[@lrmodranoel]

Dustin is so kind to his audience. But mostly to the directors he respects. Me and him know why he turned down those scripts.

[@SenorCinema]

its been 6 years and today still hasn't fixed the typo

[@rockstarrist5746]

TURNED WOODY ALLEN DOWN FOUR TIMES, TURNED FELLINI DOWN AND BEGMAN! BERGMAN! FELLINI!! OH MY GOD, I AM HAVING A HEART ATTACK! DUSTIN IS MY FAVORITE ACTOR AND THOSE ARE MY THREE FAVORITE DIRECTORS OF ALL TIME!! I AM GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK NOW!

[@Geovrz]

Same 💔

[@DMalltheway]

Midnight Cowboy and Papillon are one of my favorite Hoffman performances.

[@Gryffixchannel]

This video has been up for five years and the title still hasn't been corrected

[@LittleMak1]

He's 78?! Doesn't look like it, more like 60s

[@nicholaschristiaan8061]

He doesn’t say why he turned it down.

[@intrinsictremblings]

Aw, he definitely has deserved all his success!

[@mefi9788]

What a gentle person.

[@abominablebumble7180]

I was born in 1962. In 1967 when the Graduate came out I fell head over heels for Dustin Hoffman. I was only 5 years old at the time.

[@victorblock3421]

I was born in 1962 but can't remember that far back. Farthest back was my birthday 1969

[@abominablebumble7180]

@@victorblock3421 I can even remember my first day of kindergarten.

[@dfg1999]

Inspirational interview! I've always loved his acting and characters. Especially, Ratso in Midnight Cowboy.

[@mikeshawbrook-selfreliance]

I'm walking here !

[@Luke101]

5 years and they still haven’t fixed the title

[@mfbond13]

Multi Media Corporation still has Video misspelled as "Sown" after 8 years lol

[@BIJOU167]

Never been full of himself, such a lovely man

[@user-yz7dr2pt5s]

What an incredible talent!

[@lewiscranston881]

Christ why would you turn down Bergman, Fellini, Spielberg and Woody Allen

[@moniquelacosta5170]

He looks Great for 78. I love his energy. He would have been great as the Ben Kingsley character in Schindler's List. The Graduate is one of the best films ever made. He made a Classic that will never be forgotten. He is Vibrant and reborn. I hope I feel that way at 78.

[@Greggorious123]

He's 78? Jesus he looks amazing.

[@samkresil6011]

He`s 80, now.

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

Jesus had nothing to do with it. Moses might be a more apt comparison.

[@luisamanuel6179]

Greatness was always in him the films not taken were to show him that he didn’t need them to be great because he was it already ❤️

[@arazkojayan2534]

I love him! and his smile...

[@petluvr2751]

He's an incredible actor. Tootsie & Rainman are my personal favorites😊

[@DocMortsnarg]

As of November 30th, 2017 they still haven't fixed the title.

[@Deegstroyer98]

Still haven't in 2020

[@guileniam]

what does turned sown mean?

[@ShutUpCatProductions]

Humility everyone should learn

[@tylerdunnan5059]

It's been 5 years since this update. Has no one noticed they typed "sown" instead of "down"?

[@johannaschmidt4744]

His view his eyes ....just like in his young years ...so adorable ❤

[@balkee42]

Dude looks amazing for 78.

[@MR-ki8ud]

This man has always elaborated quite thoroughly about his feelings. But he didn’t speak about Schindler’s List. Click bait. 🙄

[@FreakDaMIghet]

He wasn't that far off with guessing that Shifu was a raccoon. Red pandas are in the same superfamily as raccoons. Basically, they are the raccoon's fancy Asian cousin.

[@zedmarlen]

In this interview Dustin Hoffman does not say WHY he turned down Schindler's List. So if you're hoping for some insight on that in this interview, you'll be disappointed.

[@carlosacta8726]

An EPIC actor!!! Your Chi is your essence...

[@whisperhug8911]

The movie Tootsie, which he stars in, perfectly talks about what he's trying to say at end there.

[@julietteyork6293]

Can’t anyone fix the typo on the title?

[@chandlersampson]

"Sown"?...I volunteer for assistance.

[@joecoe4416]

Turned sown?

[@parishoffmann9069]

4:27-4:29 very good of him to say that because its true and many people think that they are different just because they are famous but they have ups and downs too they are like you and me you dont know their private life you dont see their real "faces"

[@johannaschmidt4744]

So fit for his age

[@rogerlephoque3704]

Although he didn't say which part he turned down in Schindler's List, I think this was have been that of Stern, the accountant. Ben Kingsley played Stern and turned in an outstanding performance playing opposite Liam Neeson as Schindler. These two fine actors sparked off each other in a way that Hoffman, the fine actor though he is, would not have been able to match. I put this down to British vis-a-vis American intonation in speech, (nasal versus diagphram-propelled speech) a trait that would likely have clashed in a Hoffman-Neeson casting.

[@Dreama40]

78 Blimey i had no idea he was that old! Looks great!

[@samkresil6011]

3:54 But in an airport when someone asked you "did you fart in Rain Man?", you said you were proud of that moment.

[@PsyCygnet]

I’d love to know what directors say to those when they turn down rolls.

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

A true legend!

[@MFPhoto1]

A misleading, and misspelled, title. He mentions Schindler's List once and for no more than a second.

[@ahill4642]

MFPhoto1 - Yes, annoying!

[@Geovrz]

Man I would've loved if he worked with Woody Allen so much

[@WhoBeSilly]

Wow, he turned sown a role.

[@aliceborealis]

Matt Lauer, LOL!

[@nymike06]

Sounds good and looks good at 78, at the time of this interview.

[@tinotrivino]

Correct title... its not turned sown.. its turned down :D hugs!

[@Firul4is]

he is the best by far.

[@mellowyellow5427]

It's crazy that he would turn sown Schindler's List.

[@FredericKahler]

"I feel fresh now."

[@marinakaye8284]

Maybe he felt he had to take the road less travelled and really have a challenge, to fight for success. Got there in spite of himself.

[@jacobgarrity9055]

Liam Neeson Ralph Finennes Ben Kingsley The best casting choice in cinema history. Dustin Hoffman is more of a drama comedy actor in Kramer vs Kramer, Tootsie and Rain man and the Graduate movie.

[@razbigranicu]

I suppose he was supposed to take Kingsley's part, but I really couldn't take him seriously playing that part.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

I bet Dustin was creeped out being near Lauer...shows how good an actor he is

[@cw1436]

Still haven’t edited the title?

[@darrylewaggoner2118]

He was a great Ratso Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy..'I'M WALKEN HERE;I'M WALKEN HERE" 01 31 17

[@Rob2068]

Wow, he’s 85 now.

[@sednafloating7027]

which role did he turn down?

[@2taggs2]

AWKWARD. Especially @2:43 - personal wise, both of these guys have regrets...

[@HoldenNY22]

Anybody know what Role he turned down in "Schlinder's List?" Was it the Schlinder himself or the Ben Kingsley Character? I tend to think it was more the later. Anybody know?

[@jackel54130]

IMDb might be have the answer in the trivia section on Dustin's page or Schindler's List page.

[@HoldenNY22]

Thank You. I will look into that

[@timothyfasano1583]

He was offered Itzhak Stern (the Ben Kingsley character).

[@HoldenNY22]

@@timothyfasano1583- Dustin would have ben great in taht role.

[@Cal-md1et]

He could pass for mid 50s

[@itoakko]

He would have been a good Itzhak Stern. But Ben Kingsley was great in it. He was also perfect and I can no longer imagine the film to be played by someone else. I see Dustin Hoffman is iconic though.

[@TheTriplelman]

My favorite actor, I have his autograph on a photo of my favorite Hoffman picture, Little Big Man

[@gregorywilson2124]

Hoffmann is a great actor

[@gwendolynlathe5415]

my goodness he’s looks ❤so handsome !!!!!!! Nest best best actor no questions

[@ShutUpCatProductions]

“Sown?”

[@65boogerbutt]

Well he's had a steady job for years playing Joy Behar on The View.

[@spudwas]

Dustin Hoffman On Why He Turned Sown ‘Schindler’s List.......not on this upload. Just "I turned it down."

[@veroniquechiche2648]

I love Dustin so much

[@lenihaylett4674]

he sounds like an allknowing allmighty being when he talks. lol. 2:02

[@jamesfalato4305]

Whenever I hear someone who has had a good/decent Life say/think that they would like to "Go back and change their Life" even in a good way, I tell them I don't want to do that because I could easily be run over by an 18-wheeler...

[@cohencohen54]

Two flawed men once sat on a sofa....

[@OmarDiesel9]

A throwback to the days when Matt Lauer and Dustin Hoffman were perceived as high-profile, non-creepy dudes.

[@astephens1963]

How do you Turn Sown something?

[@samkresil6011]

0:51 Of course it is, because he`d rather fill in for any role he wants rather than play the same character in a single franchise. And every actor has done it, now. Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marlon Brando, Edward Norton, Joaquin Phoenix and so on.

[@arn0bthechameleon]

SOWN GOES FRAZIER !!!!

[@tiger38able]

we need a "Tootsie" Two! :)

[@samkresil6011]

0:50 Yeah, because Dustin Hoffman was known as a method actor and would keep method acting until it would eventually slow down on him. Even Joaquin Phoenix and Leonardo DiCaprio are constantly doing the same right now.

[@michaelhicks6200]

The title was very misleading.

[@jackypatterson4139]

Best actor ever born. Bar none