Just yesterday, the Kennedy Center announced that Dustin Hoffman would be one of this year’s honorees for his contribution to the arts. And over the course of forty-five years, the double Oscar-winner has crafted some of the most memorable performances in the history of film. Below, the top ten performances of Hoffman’s storied career.
10. Kramer vs. Kramer
Hoffman won his first Oscar for his portrayal of a man forced to pick up the pieces when his unhappy wife (Meryl Streep) abandons him and his young son. The film is episodic and melodramatic by today’s standards, but Hoffman’s genius lies in his most passionate scenes – at first, when he unleashes an angry torrent at the AWOL Joanna, and then when she comes back to claim custody for the son he’s only just bonded with. Watching him, you know exactly what he’s fighting for.