Dustin Hoffman, who famously dressed in drag for *Tootsie* 30 years ago, used his acting skills to keep a serious secret: a battle with cancer that almost took his life.
In 2013, the *Rain Man* actor, then 75, revealed that he had quietly undergone treatment for throat cancer, which was “surgically cured.” After that, he never spoke about it publicly again. Here’s more about the Oscar-winning actor’s journey with cancer.
In 1967, at 30 years old, Dustin Hoffman had his breakthrough role in the romantic comedy *The Graduate*, which earned him his first Oscar nomination.
Over the years, Hoffman starred in iconic films like *All the President’s Men* (1976) and *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979), which won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
In 1983, Hoffman played a washed-up actor who dresses as a woman to get a role on a soap opera in the movie *Tootsie*, showcasing his incredible versatility.
\In the hit film *Tootsie*, Dustin Hoffman’s character was called a “nottie” instead of a “hottie,” which brought him to tears, he shared.
“If I were going to be a woman, I’d want to be as beautiful as possible. But they told me, ‘That’s as good as it gets,’” Hoffman recalled in an interview.
When he realized he wasn’t considered attractive as a woman, the now 86-year-old actor had a life-changing realization about how society views women.
“I went home and started crying,” Hoffman says. “I thought, ‘I’m an interesting woman,’ but I knew if I met that version of myself at a party, I wouldn’t talk to her because she didn’t meet the physical standards we’re taught women need to have for us to approach them.”
Even though *Tootsie* was the second-highest-grossing film of the year—just behind *E.T. The Extraterrestrial*—Dustin Hoffman didn’t find it funny.
“That was never a comedy for me,” he added.
Despite his feelings about the film, Hoffman became one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.
He earned his second Oscar for the 1988 film *Rain Man* and went on to win six Golden Globes and one Primetime Emmy.
In 2013, Hoffman, who had always been very active in his career, suddenly went quiet.
It was later revealed that his cancer had been detected early.
Just months after Dustin Hoffman made his directorial debut with the British comedy *Quartet* (2012) and finished filming *Chef* (2014) alongside Jon Favreau and Sofia Vergara, the reason for his absence became clear.
Hoffman’s publicist, Jodi Gottlieb, shared with *People* (through ABC News) that the beloved actor had been privately treated for cancer. She didn’t reveal many details but said, “It was detected early, and he has been surgically cured. Dustin is feeling great and is in good health.”
At 75, Hoffman underwent preventative treatments to reduce the chances of the cancer returning. While Gottlieb didn’t specify the type of cancer, it was widely believed to be throat cancer.
Even after the news, Hoffman’s career didn’t slow down. He lent his voice to Master Shifu in more *Kung Fu Panda* films (2008 to 2024) and acted in several other movies, including *Sam and Kate* in 2022 and the upcoming sci-fi drama *Megalopolis* in 2024. Hoffman, now 86, continues to remind us of his resilience and passion for acting.
In early March 2024, *Hello!* magazine reported that Dustin Hoffman and his wife, Lisa Gottsegen, were seen walking around London, showing some sweet moments of affection.
Hoffman, who married Gottsegen in 1980, added four children to his family, along with two children from his previous marriage to Anne Byrne.
The article noted, “The Hollywood legend looked much younger than his 86 years as he smiled and waved at the cameras. He appeared tanned and relaxed while strolling through the city and visiting shops with his wife of 43 years.”
Richard Gere’s 24-Year-Old Son Caused a Sensation on the Red Carpet, and People Say He’s More Handsome Than His Father
Richard Gere is one of those actors who loves to keep his personal life private. However, he recently made a spectacular appearance on the red carpet. The 74-year-old actor appeared with his 41-year-old wife and 24-year-old son, Homer. The young man immediately attracted everyone’s attention.
The father-son duo looked exceptionally dapper in their elegant black suits, complemented by matching bow ties and crisp white dress shirts. Radiating charm, they delighted cameras with their warm smiles and shared a heartfelt embrace.
Fans online were surprised by how handsome Homer looked. One person gushed, saying, “Wow, his son is so good-looking!” Another described him as a “Beautiful guy!” A third person observed, “His son is more handsome than Dad […]”
Homer was born in February 2000, and he shared his name with his grandfather, Richard Gere’s dad, who passed away in 2023 at 100 years old. His mother is Gere’s second ex-wife, model and actress Carey Lowell.
Homer Gere attended Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York, and later graduated from Brown University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and visual art, as per his LinkedIn profile. Since September 2022, he has been working as a research assistant in the therapeutic neuroscience lab at an Ivy League School of Public Health.
In a March 2024 interview with Vanity Fair Spain, Richard Gere mentioned that Homer Gere struggles to comprehend his father’s fame. Richard said, “It’s hard for him to see me on screen because, even when I play extreme characters, I’m still his father, making it hard for him to get into the story.”
Richard also revealed that Homer is beginning to follow in his footsteps by exploring his acting and musical talents. “He has just started acting and seems to enjoy it,” Richard noted. “He’s been writing and directing small films, giving us a new shared interest.”
Moreover, Richard emphasized the importance of his children learning to play an instrument. Homer initially chose the piano as a child but eventually quit. He then switched to drums, which he also didn’t stick with for long. However, a few years ago, he began playing in his own band in college and is now a vocalist in a punk band.
Another celebrity child who attracts a lot of attention is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter, Shiloh. She has taken social media by storm with her dancing.
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