Dustin Hoffman Thought He'd Be Fired From 'The Graduate' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-15-2007, 10:01 AM

Dustin Hoffman was convinced he'd be fired from the set of classic movie The Graduate. The paranoid Oscar winner was left fearing the worst after producers decided his then-roommate, Gene Hackman, was badly cast in the film.

Hackman had signed up to play the part of Mr. Robinson - a role eventually taken by Murray Hamilton - in the 1967 film, when studio bosses decided they didn't want him.

So Hoffman spent the remainder of the movie's shoot worrying about suffering a similar fate.

He says, "I thought I was going to be fired while I was making it. Gene Hackman was (originally cast as) Mr. Robinson and we were rehearsing and I have this memory of us both going to the bathroom at the studio. He's in one urinal and I'm about six urinals away, and he turns to me and he says, 'I'm getting fired today.' I said, 'Gene, what are you talking about?' And he said, 'I'm going to get fired today.' And he did (get fired). So once he got fired I thought I was on the line. So not only did I not think it was going to be a hit, I thought it would wind up starring (Robert) Redford."

OH Nuts! · 11-15-2007, 11:47 PM

Interesting. Just goes to show you that sometimes we're our worst critics. But I bet that feeling that "I'm not good enough" works as a powerful goad to give the very best you can--and obviously many (myself included) think he's a wonderful actor.

Ireneparalegal · 11-15-2007, 11:50 PM

Did you all know that the famous leg shown in the movie poster belongs to Linda Gray from DALLAS? She was a young model at that time. She went on to play the role of Mrs. Robinson on Broadway.

11-15-2007, 10:01 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Dustin Hoffman Thought He'd Be Fired From 'The Graduate' Dustin Hoffman was convinced he'd be fired from the set of classic movie The Graduate. The paranoid Oscar winner was left fearing the worst after producers decided his then-roommate, Gene Hackman, was badly cast in the film. Hackman had signed up to play the part of Mr. Robinson - a role eventually taken by Murray Hamilton - in the 1967 film, when studio bosses decided they didn't want him. So Hoffman spent the remainder of the movie's shoot worrying about suffering a similar fate. He says, "I thought I was going to be fired while I was making it. Gene Hackman was (originally cast as) Mr. Robinson and we were rehearsing and I have this memory of us both going to the bathroom at the studio. He's in one urinal and I'm about six urinals away, and he turns to me and he says, 'I'm getting fired today.' I said, 'Gene, what are you talking about?' And he said, 'I'm going to get fired today.' And he did (get fired). So once he got fired I thought I was on the line. So not only did I not think it was going to be a hit, I thought it would wind up starring (Robert) Redford."
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

11-15-2007, 11:50 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Did you all know that the famous leg shown in the movie poster belongs to Linda Gray from DALLAS? She was a young model at that time. She went on to play the role of Mrs. Robinson on Broadway.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

11-15-2007, 11:47 PM	#2
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Interesting. Just goes to show you that sometimes we're our worst critics. But I bet that feeling that "I'm not good enough" works as a powerful goad to give the very best you can--and obviously many (myself included) think he's a wonderful actor.