During a recent discussion about his early career, Glen Powell described an intense, overwhelmed experience at a Dustin Hoffman script reading, revealing how nerves got the best of him during one of his first opportunities in Hollywood. Powell recounted how meeting the acclaimed actor for the first time left a lasting impact, highlighting the challenges young actors face when engaging with established legends.
Powell’s Unforgettable Meeting With Dustin Hoffman
Glen Powell, recognized today for his charismatic presence and leading roles, admitted that his entry into Hollywood was marked by self-doubt and awe. Sharing the story on a visit to “Hot Ones,” Powell explained that his first week in Los Angeles brought an unexpected dinner encounter with Dustin Hoffman, whose reputation in the acting world left Powell starstruck.
“My first week [in Hollywood], I found myself at a dinner sitting next to Dustin Hoffman,”
— Glen Powell
“He saw a movie I did called ‘The Great Debaters,’ and the fact that he saw this movie just blew my mind. I was like ‘This is the coolest moment of my entire life.’”
— Glen Powell
Hoffman recognized Powell’s work and extended a remarkable opportunity, inviting him to read for a project at his office. Reflecting on this moment, Powell described being simultaneously excited and nervous, both emotions heightened by his deep admiration for Hoffman’s body of work.
A Script Reading That Took a Turn
Powell accepted the invitation to Hoffman’s office for a live reading of a script. However, the encounter quickly shifted from promising to stressful as Powell found himself overcome by anxiety in the presence of one of his acting idols. Hoffman had encouraged Powell, acknowledging his talent, and even followed up with a personal call.
“I got something for you. Let’s keep in touch.”
— Dustin Hoffman
“Literally a couple days later, I got a call at my house from Dustin Hoffman,”
— Glen Powell
“And I’m losing my mind. I’m like ‘This is the coolest thing,’ and [Hoffman’s] like ‘I’m gonna invite you to my office and I want you to read for something.’”
— Glen Powell
The meeting, however, proved challenging. As Powell began reading with Hoffman, he found it impossible to focus solely on his performance. The realization that he was sharing a scene with one of the industry’s most respected actors left him distracted, and the moment spiraled quickly.
“I started reading them, but I was so in awe that Dustin Hoffman was sitting across from me,”
— Glen Powell
“He’s one of my favorite actors of all time. As I’m reading, I’m watching the life drain from his eyes, being like, ‘This guy sucks so bad.’ And I was like, ‘Oh no.’”
— Glen Powell
The Emotional Fallout and Lessons Learned
The interaction left Powell feeling defeated. He recounted the emotional spiral during the failed Dustin Hoffman script reading, describing the struggle to regain confidence in real-time as doubt set in.
“I’m watching him and I’m losing him,”
— Glen Powell
“And then I’m being like, ‘Yeah, you’re losing him,’ and then I look back and I’m losing him even more. And I left so defeated.”
— Glen Powell
This humbling incident became a defining early lesson in Powell’s career, emphasizing the emotional complexity early-career actors endure, especially when working with admired figures like Dustin Hoffman. The experience did not deter him for long; over time, Powell’s outlook on the industry matured, and he learned to approach interactions with celebrated performers as collaborations rather than intimidating hurdles.
“What you start to realize is that all this business is is play. You start looking at these guys as, like, legends, and then you start looking at them as collaborators who are just trying to make magic for audiences around the world, you know?”
— Glen Powell
“I think that’s the difference. I think the excitement of this business hasn’t worn off, but my perspective has.”
— Glen Powell
Powell’s Continued Rise in the Industry
Although Powell never co-starred with Hoffman in a film, he went on to establish himself with audiences worldwide, sharing the screen with Tom Cruise in the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.” His growing resume includes main roles in “Anyone But You” with Sydney Sweeney, the adventure film “Twisters,” and the recent adaptation “The Running Man,” directed by Edgar Wright and based on Stephen King’s novel.
Powell’s story illustrates the path from uncertainty to accomplishment in Hollywood, showing that even stars encounter moments of vulnerability, ultimately learning to see legends as peers and collaborators in pursuit of captivating performances for audiences everywhere.
