Disguises On and Off Screen

Dustin Hoffman, known for dressing in drag for “Tootsie” 30 years ago, hid an unforgiving disease that almost claimed his life. In 2013, the Rain Man actor, then 75, revealed he had secretly undergone treatment for throat cancer, which was “surgically cured.” He never spoke of it again.

Keep reading to learn more about the Oscar-winning actor’s journey with cancer.

A Storied Career

In 1967, 30-year-old Dustin Hoffman broke through with his role in the romantic comedy “The Graduate,” earning his first Oscar nomination. Over the next several years, Hoffman starred in classic films like “All the President’s Men” (1976) and “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), where he won an Academy Award for Best Actor.

In 1983, Hoffman starred in “Tootsie,” playing a washed-up actor who dresses as a woman to land a role on a soap opera. The hit film, where he was called a “nottie” instead of a “hottie,” brought him to tears. Hoffman recalled, “If I was going to be a woman, I would want to be as beautiful as possible, and they said to me, ‘That’s as good as it gets.’”

An Epiphany

Hoffman had an epiphany that changed how he treats women. “I went home and started crying,” he said. “I know that if I met myself at a party, I would never talk to that character because she doesn’t fulfill the demands that we’re brought up to think women have to have in order for us to ask them out.” Though “Tootsie” was the second highest-grossing film of that year, Hoffman didn’t think it was funny. He said, “…that was never a comedy for me.”

Quiet Struggles

In 2013, Hoffman, usually very active in his career, fell quiet. Only a few months after his directorial debut of “Quartet” (2012) and shortly after wrapping production of “Chef” (2014), his representative revealed why the beloved actor was in hiding. Publicist Jodi Gottlieb told People that Hoffman was successfully treated for cancer, which he had kept private. “It was detected early, and he has been surgically cured,” she said. Hoffman continued preventative treatments to minimize the chance of recurrence.

Continuing Legacy

Despite the diagnosis, Hoffman didn’t slow down. He voiced Master Shifu in two more “Kung Fu Panda” films and co-starred in several other films, including “Sam and Kate” (2022) and “Megalopolis” (2024). In early March 2024, Hoffman and his wife Lisa Gottsegen were spotted in London, sharing sweet public displays of affection. Married since 1980, Hoffman and Gottsegen have four children together.

The Hollywood legend looked years younger than 86 as he smiled and waved at the cameras. Though Hoffman has never spoken publicly about his battle with cancer, it appears he’s doing very well.

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