Dustin Hoffman - Hoffman Defends His Anti-War Comments

Actor DUSTIN HOFFMAN is upset with accusations he abused his celebrity status to impose his anti-war stance on the public.

The KRAMER VS KRAMER stars points out that his views on the then-proposed military action weren't public knowledge until he was asked.

He says, "I was the BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL promoting MOONLIGHT MILE. I'm fielding questions: 'How did I find my character?' 'How did I meet (director) BRAD SILBERLING?' 'Where did you get the idea to do this or that moment?' And then suddenly, 'What do you think, Mr Hoffman about your administration's feelings on Iraq?'

"Well, I'm not a politician. I had nothing prepared. It took me by surprise. My brain went through the following reflexes. I could say 'No comment', but that sounds chickens***. I could dodge the question. Or I could say what I felt. And that's what I did.

"People read it and say, 'Where the hell do these celebrities get off that they can use their celebrity as a platform to spout out, and who cares what they think, they're uneducated, blah, blah, blah.'

"Hey guys, what would you do if you were there and someone asked you, 'Tell me about your job. And what do you do? And how does it happen? And what do you thin about the war?' What do you say?

"It's not coming back that you answered a question. It's coming back that you used your celebrity. But that ain't the truth."