MEET THE FOCKERS

A two-time Oscar® winner and seven-time nominee, DUSTIN HOFFMAN (Bernie Focker) is distinguished as one of the cinema's most acclaimed leading actors. Hoffman caught the world's attention for his role as Benjamin Braddock in Mike Nichol's Academy Award®-nominated film, The Graduate. Since then, he has been nominated for six more Academy Awards® for such diverse films such as Midnight Cowboy, Lenny, Tootsie (a film he also produced through his company, Punch Productions) and Wag the Dog. Hoffman won the Oscar® in 1979 for his role in Kramer vs. Kramer and again in 1988 for Rain Man.

Hoffman recently starred in David O. Russell's comedy I Heart Huckabees, with Jude Law, Naomi Watts, Mark Wahlberg, Lily Tomlin and Jason Schwartzman. A husband-and-wife team (Hoffman and Tomlin) play detectives, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, the happy duo helps others solve their existential issues, the kind that keep you up at night, wondering what it all means.

Additionally, he was also seen in Marc Forster's Finding Neverland, opposite Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet for Miramax Films. Finding Neverland is a tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of James Barrie, the real-life author of the children's classic Peter Pan. Set in London in 1904, the film follows Barrie's creative journey to bring Peter Pan to life, from his first inspiration for the story up until the play's lifechanging premiere. Finding Neverland premiered at the 2004 Venice Film Festival.

Hoffman will also lend his voice to Frederik Du Chau's film, Racing Stripes, for Alcon Entertainment and slated for a January 14, 2005 release. Hoffman joins the ensemble cast which includes Frankie Muniz, Mandy Moore, Michael Clarke Duncan, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Harvey, Patrick Stewart, Snoop Dogg and David Spade, among many others. Upcoming projects also include appearances in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, as well as The Lost City with Andy Garcia.

Hoffman recently starred in Gary Fleder's Runaway Jury, opposite John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Rachel Weisz; James Foley's Confidence, opposite Edward Burns and Rachel Weisz; and Brad Silberling's Moonlight Mile, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Susan Sarandon.

His other film credits include: Little Big Man, Straw Dogs, Papillon, All the President's Men, Marathon Man, Straight Time, Agatha, Ishtar, Dick Tracy, Billy Bathgate, Mad City, Hero, Sleepers, Sphere, American Buffalo, Hook and Outbreak.

On the stage, Hoffman has had an equally impressive career. His first stage role was in the Sarah Lawrence College production of Gertrude Stein's Yes Is For a Very Young Man. His performance in this play led to several roles off-Broadway, for which he won the Obie and Drama Desk Award for Best Actor. His success onstage caught the attention of Mike Nichols, who cast him in The Graduate. In 1974, Hoffman made his Broadway directorial debut with All Over Town. In 1984, Hoffman garnered a Drama Desk Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Willy Loman in the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman, which he also produced. In addition to starring in the Broadway production, a special presentation aired on television and Hoffman won the Emmy Award. Additionally, Hoffman received a Tony Award nomination for his role as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, which he reprised from his long run on the London stage.

As a producer, Hoffman produced Tony Goldwyn's feature film, A Walk on the Moon, starring Diane Lane, Viggo Mortensen, Liev Schreiber and Anna Paquin for Miramax Films. He executive-produced The Devil's Arithmetic, which won two Emmy Awards.

Hoffman was born in Los Angeles and attended Santa Monica Community College. He later studied at the Pasadena Playhouse before moving to New York to study with Lee Strasberg.

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