Dustin Hoffman on TOOTSIE and his character Dorothy Michaels 

A truly profound statement. Someone who sees the shallowness of social values through the eyes of the opposite sex.

Dustin Hoffman is talking here about an experience that most women have sadly gone through at some point in their life. This will forever be one of my favorite videos ever

Every man should go through Dustin's experience to realize what it's like... Dustin is an exceptional man.

This video proves why theater is so valuable, and children should be encouraged to participate in it - it fosters EMPATHY in a person. When you are asked to take on the persona of someone else, to be in their shoes, it forces you to look at the world through a lens other than your own.

I am a high school teacher. I share this with my students. If, over the years, just one student gets something from this, then it will have been well worth my time.

How many times did I come back to this video and watch it again only to end up with tears in my eyes? Gets me every single time. Much respect for this man.

It's nice to think that some actors have the intelligence and insightfulness to step back from a character they're playing and recognise that these people do exist in the bigger world, and not just in Hollywoodworldland. Nice work Dustin.

I've watched this interview so many times, but no matter how many times I tear up. As a middle aged woman who is virtually invisible outside my familial or professional sphere I don't even cry for myself. I cry for him and his character, because I know what that feels like. It is incredibly moving and profound for me to have someone like Dustin Hoffman really understand what it is like to just be a regular woman.

I came here via Reddit post from "an ugly woman." Someone posted this link in response. I get it. Great interview and great emotion / explanation from Dustin.

It’s not just about relationship trouble in an unattractive person’s life. It becomes harder to make friends, harder to have confidence as sometimes our opinions and thoughts just don’t seem to matter as much as the attractive person’s opinions or thoughts

I don't know him very well, but just from these 3min I can tell he is a very good person. My respect.

Respect to Hoffman. Few people are able to be that raw about their own experience, much less be so eloquent about it.

Set aside that this movie was not about a "cross-dresser" or transgender person. It was about an actor who wanted to find work and dressed up as a woman to get a roll on a TV show. Through that process the character learned what it was like to be a woman and ended up with a perspective of profound respect and understanding for the opposite sex. This what is the embodiment of what Dustin Hoffman went through in real life creating that character. Nobody needs to be commenting on transgender etc. This realization for Dustin Hoffman is beautiful and real and important for everyone to consider understanding.

Most of these comments prove that human beings also aren't capable of thinking of the opposite sex as a valuable person aside from sexual or romantic interest. Get it through your thick skulls, people: YOU DON'T HAVE TO MARRY SOMEONE YOU DON'T FIND PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE. But for God's sake, have an open mind to platonic relationships with the opposite sex and be aware that there are people you're overlooking because their looks don't appeal to you.

This was such a great piece. You can see he truly gets so chocked up talking about how he’s been brainwashed into dismissing so many interesting women because they were simply not beautiful enough. He knows better now, and that’s a gift. A real gift.

And this is why I love Dustin Hoffman

This interview should be shown everywhere. It's just awesome

This had me in tears. I've never been the typical pretty girl, I'm very plain and the farthest thing from sexy. I've always had guy friends, but have never been sought after or approached like my sisters or my other prettier girl friends. Hearing Dustin saying these things really touched me and warmed my heart.

Still love this interview. It hits me in the gut every time I hear what he has to say and see how emotional he gets. To think of all the people we ignore everyday because they don't fit our ideal.

People are hung up on the "attractive" and "ask out" parts. I see his point as being clearly about not giving himself a chance to connect with or even approach another human being on any earnest/intimate level. Many kinds of relationships can exist between men and women with/without age or aesthetic differences.

Dustin Hoffman put into words his realization incredibly well. We need to start teaching kids that women and girls don't have to be pretty to exist.

"I think I am an interesting woman, when I look at myself on screen, and I know, that if I met myself at a party i would never talk to that character, because she doesn't fulfill, physically, the demands, that we're brought up to think women have to have in order for us to ask them out. She says, 'What are you saying?' and I said, 'There's too many interesting women I have not had the experience to know in this life, because I have been brainwashed and that was never a comedy for me."

What most people fail to understand is that Dustin played himself in Tootsie. Dustin is Dorothy. You can see her passion and strength come through in this interview. Which is why Tootsie is such a great film.

Wow this made me tear up toward the end. So much passion and emotion. I ask myself that question too. How would I be if I were a guy? Would I be more or less attractive? More accepting towards the opposite sex? That made me realize I'm not perfect myself.

"It was never a comedy for me"

Probably some of the deepest truth to ever leave an actors mouth not only in the history of filmmaking but in the history of humanity.

now that is one substantial man

It's disgusting. People have no control over being born 'attractive'. No one decides to be born 'ugly' it wasn't their fault. And to think that many people will treat these 'ugly' people worse over something they had no control over, it really does make me feel sick to my stomach.

“I had an epiphany.” He did, and I love his honesty.

Great to see a man who is so sensitive and aware; Dustin forever!

I am more impressed than ever by this awesome man.

Dustin Hoffman cries a lot in interviews. He's a very passionate intense man

This made me cry

this is probably the most universal mankind defining piece of video in the whole world. this says so much about us... it's brutal. thank you dustin!

❤️ I'm in love with Dustin Hoffman's humanness. I'm glad this got so many views.

Guys the message here isn't "date someone you don't find attractive or marry her" it wouldn't make sense to do that because you wouldn't be completely happy right, we all have our preferences but what I think is the big message is that don't ignore those you don't find attractive, if you see a girl at a club alone and no guy pays her the minimum attention then be the guy that asks her to dance you might make her day. Be better people is what's the message here. This changed my way of thinking completely because I was one of those guys who would just try to avoid someone I didn't find attractive 😒 and now I see how wrong i was. Good day everyone

I've always been the unattractive one in my family. I've always been one of the least attractive of my friends, so this really hit home for me. I don't wear makeup very often, I dress in jeans and t-shirts and converse. I'm not tall, I'm not skinny and I have very plain features. I'm always the friend (the 'wingman') but never the one people see as attractive at all.

this is true on so many levels. at least you got there Dustin cause so many people don't

So Dustin admits that didn't engage with unattractive women, and Tootsie changed all that. That should be a lesson for us all.

Finally, a man who gets it. Thank you Dustin Hoffman.

I never knew he was so moved on the making of Tootsie. It is hard and there are lot of people who don't get the light of day because of our idea of what men and women should look like.

When he got to the ending part, i actually understood what he meant by how society has brainwashed into thinking that only the beauty and desirable women are the ones men should look at. And so him playing as Tootsie opened up a realization that he can play a part of a woman in the eyes of someone who isn't seen as your typical desirable woman and so she's interesting in other aspects of her physical appeal. :) Well job done Dustin.

What huge emotional intelligence Dustin Hoffman has ; and how sensitive. One of the best actors of our time. 💐💖😘👍🌈

Wow, that's deep. The best part is not only that he realized this, but that he is so hurt by the fact that he himself has helped perpetuate this beautocacy by ignoring average or below average looking women. Bravo to him for having that realization. I have a 2 year old daughter, and although she is very cute and pretty (according to other people) I often chastise myself for thinking to myself "Okay, it looks like she's on course to be a pretty female as a teenager and adult. Good." The truth is, even if I take the high road, so many other people will not, and the advantages of female beauty are not likely to go away even as more and more people become conscious of our partiality towards the beautiful among us. The same phenomenon applies to male height, hair texture, skin complexion and a slew of other traits which have a heritable feature which are "Beautiful" in some and "not so beautiful" in others.

DUSTIN YOU GET ME EVERY TIME WITH THIS INTERVIEW. JESUS. "that was never a comedy for me"

Well said, LC. Made me cry a lot. As he tells his story, I see my young daughter, at a party, in all her internal beauty...And standing all alone.

What a beautiful person he is. I love him!!!

I love this interview and I appreciate Dustin Hoffman's heartfelt candor here. It is a wonderful movie and Dorothy Michaels is such a strong, powerful female character. I love that he clearly gained a new respect and appreciation for women through this particular role. Thanks for sharing this. :-)

This is the most humble I’ve ever seen this man. It’s refreshing because he is so damn talented.

I'm a dude, and I cry every time. This transformed him to his core, and I felt his emotion deeply in my soul.

This interview makes me cry. I met the love of my life when she was overweight and insecure but what an amazing woman... what a thinker, a dreamer, with extraordinary kindness and taste and intelligence... and what a kisser... She died quite suddenly March 26 of 2018 right when we were finally moving in together... and the one thing that helps me keep it all together is knowing how happy she truly was. But I miss her profoundly every day.

I'm a sucker for genuine emotion. Gets me every time.

I watch this over and over again because he finally vocalized it! I have had only one or two other men in my life "get it". When talking about a friend who was behaving poorly with men I had a friend tell me that I was the type a man would want to be with not her. And I said, ok, but if you walked into a bar and saw both of us who would you approach.

Thank you Dustin Hoffman - beautifully said "I would never talk to . . . I have been brainwashed". You recognized that there are so many opportunities missed to meet and love interesting people - lovely people because all too often we do not look past the cover. Thank you for sharing your epiphany - I hope it will inspire others.

Wow... So many people are viewing this as a contest. As if Dustin scored a point for the "opposing" team... Can we grow up from "well they started it!!" arguments and just view this clip for what it is? Someone of one gender is learning something about another. That's a beautiful thing. He's not criticizing the superficial nature of men. He's criticizing his own superficial nature and is saddened that such a thing exists in human nature in general.

Welcome to my world, Dustin. Welcome. 🍻

I'm absolutely in awe of this. Tootsie is one of my favorite movies and hearing Dustin talk about his role brings tears to my eyes. Bravo! Or rather, Brava!

LOVE HIM! What a great guy to think like he does... You made a gorgeous Tootsie Dustin :)

Thank you Dustin Hoffman. Your candidness and humility is refreshing.

I love that, so many years later, it *still* makes him tear up to think about what he and so many other men (and women) have done. Good on you, Dustin.

That was beautiful... emotionally raw... I knew I liked him for more than just good acting. And, as the mother of a daughter - and not beautiful, myself - I appreciate his epiphany.

it's amazing he gets so moved and the realisation he has come to. what great actor and human being

AW, I just want to give him a big hug. He is SO sensitive. Love him, love him, love him!

This is one of the many reasons that Dustin Hoffman is one of my favorite people.

I have a new found respect for him. This was unbelievably touching and I hope that it will be a wake up call for individuals who are still struggling to understand that.

This goes both ways for sure.

I just respect the hell out of him for coming out and saying this. A lot of people would have talked themselves out of feeling empathy or guilt in a situation like this but he was completely open to the experience. I think if we keep going the way we are going then one day women will be treated as people, not just as objects of lust or something to be ignored.

I think the important thing to remember when talking about a person's appearance is that ugliness and attractiveness are subjective concepts. That's why I try to use the phrase "conventionally attractive": to remind myself (and others) that these qualities are just considered attractive because we've all supposedly agreed on that point.

Goosebumps !!! What a remarkable human being he is, I never knew !! Beautiful Soul - inside and out !!! Lots of love to everyone reading along, from Germany, Astrid Eta Anja

I admire him even more now. It is tragic how much we all end up, consciously or unconsciously, letting a person's appearance determine our opinion of them.

I try not to think about it, I used to be gorgeous, and then I gained 80 lbs (because working at a food place isn't good for your health lol), and I'm just ASTOUNDED at the different way I'm treated. I'm 6'2", a super tall girl, and I'M OVERLOOKED. Isn't that crazy? I remember turning nearly every head on the street when I was a teen, and now, according to my co-workers, I look like an "older" woman. Even though I'm only 26. No guys ask me out. My family tells me "I don't need that" when I reach for certain foods at dinners. My relatives, whom I never talk to, only pay attention to my facebook if I lose a few pounds on some dumb diet I've been pressured into. My best friend growing up, who is obese, I never understood why she always hated being next to me in public places, and now I get it. In my friend groups, I am now the "ugly friend," and I've had to work REALLY hard on my personality in order to be seen and valued. I mean, what the actual hell?! Why can't I just be VALUED?? I've given up on trying to "look pretty," because I don't want to get my hopes up, just to be hurt again for not conforming to some dumb-ass standard of beauty. I'm gorgeous, just the way I am. And I think you are too. Positive affirmation girl, that's the key to confidence. BELIEVE you are beautiful, because YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Screw them.

I spend 45 seconds trying to make myself look good in the mirror everyday. I have too many physical flaws. I have a disability. Nothing of my body is symmetrical. But I have to stare in the mirror until I see me. Sure it may take a while, but people don't take the time to find me in me. So Dustin's words ring true to even guys. How can I make "true" friends, let alone love, when it takes me a while to find me in the mirror. I cried. But my life has taught me to find the REAL person in people.

Now I love this guy

Finally a man who gets it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But we all are so much more. It's not what's on the outside but what's on the inside so to speak. We are more than the sum of our parts.

No other actor could have carried it off he was simply amazing and the public loved Dorothy Michaels

God bless this man. He's fantastic.

Probably the most honest interviews ive ever seen, its a horrible thing to admit but its a sad truth about society, respect Hoffman for putting this talking point out there.

That was a really beautiful moment of truth my respects. It’s time society starts prioritizing substance over just looking good. How unfair when “ugly” women are dismissed when they can still bring so much value to society. And beauty is subjective anyway too! Yes it is nice to look good sometimes and there is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself and maintaining looks. Still though, it is integrity, hard work, humility and respect for others that should be celebrated in the world rather than ONLY vanity. And a large part of this whole selfie-crazed new generation I am afraid is failing in perpetuating these important ideas. Thank you Dustin for seeing this. 💕

most people, not just men, won't ever come to this realization and the fact that he's willing to he so honest and open is a beautiful thing.

I find this moving every single time I watch it. If only everyone could experience something like this.

Omg he's such a sweetheart!

This video changed my life. Seriously. I was brain washed till i watched this.

I used to be pretty, young-looking, and feminine. I got plenty of attention. And then I suddenly turned ugly and old-looking (much older-looking than I am), and I became invisible and poorly treated, with absolutely no interest from guys. They think everything about me is worse, too. I could be dressed in the same stylish clothes/makeup as before, but people would rate me unstylish. I've always been fascinated with makeup, but after turning ugly, I go to makeup counters and I'm always asked, "Have you EVER worn makeup before"? - when I know more about makeup than they do. I love fashion, and I'd go into stores wearing stylish clothes of THEIR brand, but I'm assumed I won't buy, while they keep bothering customers who are worse-dressed than me. The way your face looks makes people think everything about you is worse, though it's better - from your clothes to your personality. It's the devil effect. Life is excruciating as an extremely unattractive, old-looking, mannish-looking woman. I'm treated poorly and unfairly everyday. No one of any gender wants to be my friend or have anything to do with me. I ahve not been able to date, and I'll never be able to get married - when I used to be reasonably popular with guys. People think and write in the worst ways about me - even though I'm much better and nicer than anyone else. No one understands, or wants to understand, how extreme and constant the pain and discrimination is - they villainize me instead. A beautiful woman is something guys worship. An ugly, mannish, old-looking woman is worse than pond scum - the most disgusting thing on earth. People need to realize there's a beautiful person inside. And just a few years ago, people did see all my strengths because I was beautiful and feminine on the outside. Now, they see none of my strengths, and just dismiss and degrade me unfairly, in all ways. I'm stuck living an unbearable life, all alone. I'm seen as an ogress, when I'm still a beautiful girl, as I've always been.

Makes me cry every time I watch it. Such a sick society we live in and his statement gives me a bit of hope that there’s still good in people

I said 'Wow' too...and realized even further why I adore Dustin Hoffman.

It's weird seeing him talk after watching Rain Man.

I've just cried watching this. I dnt get men. They are so inhumane at times. Last two days I've had two male friends say to me they want nothing to do with me anymore. First one, because he wants to sleep with me and it's not gonna happen. The second one, because he doesn't find me attractive, he doesn't want to sleep with me, so why bother talking with me and being friends anyway. He was afraid the reason I contacted him, was cause I want to have sex with him, and conversation was my way to build up to it, so he felt he should make it clear. WTF?!? Are we not human to you? Are we just objects? Scary and so sad at the same time.

This always makes me tear up because I, as a woman, have often had that experience. Putting on make up. The dress, the outer shell and then to look and think "is this it? I can't make myself look any better, more attractive?" Arguments for inner beauty and outer vanity may be valid but it's a horrible thing to realise that you're simply not an attractive looking person.

It takes a lot to make me cry but now I am sitting here sobbing. 😞

Dustin Hoffman is such a beautiful human being. I could never properly describe how wonderful his characters like Dorothy and Mr. Magorium are and how much of a beautiful sadness exists within them.

Soooo powerful

I am very happy for this video and his reaction in this video. Because this is the same principle where black are discarded based on the fact that we don't look a certain way. This is what society does to black people and is done to ugly people too. Hopefully Dustin now understand it and now he can feel the pain. Thank you.

wow i'm so in love with him right now...

Sometimes I just have to come back here and rewatch this. He is a wonderful human being!

What an amazing realization . . . courageous of Mr. Hoffman to share something that we ALL experience in life but rarely have the guts to admit . . . I've chosen to share this with my husband and teenage son and friends on Facebook . . . I believe it's that important to understand.

A masterpiece.

why would anyone dislike this video? wat is wrong with people

How shallow do you have to be to not want to know someone simply because of their looks! It's not just about beauty. There are lots of people who miss out on knowing other interesting people because of that person's race, religion, culture, deformities/disabilities, etc, etc. It's shallow ... and it's their loss!

Wow, Dustin! So emotional... This interview should be shared everywhere...

I've never seen this interview. I saw Tootsie in the theaters, but not this. I'm blown away that Dustin had such a profound experience. It's nice to know he was sensitive to the issue raised by his own expectations. xo