Dustin Hoffman has revealed how he, Gene Hackman and Rovert Duvall became Hollywood stars by ''freak accident'' in the '50s
Dustin Hoffman became a ''movie star'' by ''freak accident''.
The 77-year-old two-time Oscar winner believes it was by complete chance that he made a name for himself as a Hollywood legend along with his close pals Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall.
The 'Rain Man' star - who moved to New York in the '50s from Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting after failing in school - formed a friendship with Hackman, 85, after they met at Pasadena Playhouse and Duvall, 84, soon joined the mix as the trio tried to find their big breaks.
He said: ''If someone had said to the three of us that we were going to be successful movie stars, everyone would have laughed. It's kind of a freak accident that it happened to all three of us.
''I had been flunking junior college and someone said try acting, because nobody flunks acting. And Gene and I became friends. We didn't like anyone else. No one told me I was a good actor, no one told Gene, and then there was a third person - Robert Duvall - and we hung out together. They're both much, much older than me though.''
Hackman retired from the industry 11 years ago and Dustin - who was cast opposite him in his final film 'Runaway Jury, where they played legal opponents battling it out over their final case - was thrilled to spend his last movie-making moments together.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Dustin recalled how the pair got ''drunk'' and discussed their worries about the longevity of their careers.
He said: ''When they cast that, they didn't even know we knew each other for 50 years! They put a 10-minute scene in at the end of the movie to take advantage of that fact.
''After the last day of shooting we went to a bar. Hackman said, 'Let's get drunk.' And we started drinking. He looked me right in the eye and said, 'Do you get the same feeling I get at the end of a film ... as if you're never going to work again?'
''We worry about the next thing. They say you're only as good as your last picture. Well we only think we're as good as our last piece of work.''
As the second month of 2021 gets ever nearer we take a look at the new releases that are set to delight our ears over the coming weeks.
"With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place," came the not altogether unexpected announcement from...
Here's what the public had to say about the death of Phil Spector.
Lana Del Rey takes her 60s vintage aesthetic to the extreme with the video for new single 'Chemtrails Over The Country Club'.
As negotiations continue, it's clear that the UK government doesn't have everyone's best interests at heart.
The singer awkwardly responded to potential backlash regarding her new album cover.
Five years ago, on the day of his 69th birthday and two days before his death, David Bowie released his 25th, and final studio album, 'Blackstar'.
Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha) is on his way to becoming the new Woody Allen, which...
Harold Meyerowitz (Dustin Hoffman) is a celebrated New York artist, whose quick-temper and filter-less conversation...
This animated trilogy concludes on a very high note with this smart, involving and often...
Po and The Furious Five return in Kung Fu Panda 3! Po might now be...
A whooshing pace and snappy dialogue help bring this true story to life, tracing the...
Lance Armstrong was an athlete the entire world loved to support. Having beaten testicular cancer...
Stet is just 11-years-old and struggling to come to terms with his mother's death. He...
Po the giant panda may be ever increasing his prowess at kung-fu, but he still...
Lance Armstrong is a cycling legend, with seven Tour De France wins under his belt...
Some people are far more important than you might think. For one lowly cobbler, things...
Like comfort food, this movie has very little nutritional value, but it sure goes down...
Carl Casper is a chef working at one of the top restaurants of Miami. Food...
Carl Casper is a well-known chef from Miami who works in a trendy LA restaurant...
Jack Black's cuddly alter-ego is back for another epic adventure in this lively, colourful sequel....