Dustin Hoffmann interview for Death of a Salesman (1985)

Summary

In this reflective conversation, Dustin Hoffman shares insights into his early career and his journey from aspiring theater actor to Hollywood star. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from theater to film, the nature of acting as a profession, and the personal resonance he finds in Arthur Miller's *Death of a Salesman*. Hoffman also reflects on his connection to Willy Loman, seeing parallels between the character's struggles and those of actors who sell themselves in their craft. With poignant references to American dreams and the universal passion for life, Hoffman highlights the timeless relevance of Miller's work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hoffman reflects on his early career in New York and the challenges of being a young actor, struggling with unemployment and honing his craft in the theater.
• 😀 He recalls how his rise to fame with *The Graduate* made him a movie star, yet led to a shift in the roles he was offered, moving away from complex theater parts.
• 😀 Hoffman humorously discusses how he and his friends, including Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman, never expected to become movie stars and were simply content to work as character actors.
• 😀 He explains his view on acting: that most actors dream of becoming movie stars, but success for many is simply working constantly and practicing their craft.
• 😀 Hoffman talks about the metaphor of 'selling oneself' in both acting and in life, relating it to Willy Loman’s role as a salesman in *Death of a Salesman*.
• 😀 He compares the journey of actors to Willy Loman’s experience, emphasizing the emotional struggle of ‘selling’ who you are and the pressure of self-promotion in the industry.
• 😀 Hoffman connects *Death of a Salesman*’s themes of failure and the passage of time to the broader human experience, suggesting that Willy’s dreams are symbolic of everyone’s personal ambitions.
• 😀 He discusses the relevance of *Death of a Salesman* to modern audiences, noting that even young people—who weren’t born when the play was written—connect with its timeless themes.
• 😀 Hoffman touches on the famous line 'The woods are burning' from *Death of a Salesman*, explaining how it symbolizes urgency and the fleeting nature of life.
• 😀 He reflects on how Arthur Miller’s work, like Shakespeare's, resonates deeply with audiences, and how *Death of a Salesman* continues to be relevant to contemporary struggles and dreams.

Q & A

What does Dustin Hoffman mean by 'I plummeted to stardom'?

Dustin Hoffman explains that after achieving overnight fame with *The Graduate*, he found himself transitioning into movie star roles that were quite different from the more substantial theater parts he initially desired. The phrase 'plummeted to stardom' reflects how he unexpectedly reached fame, but it came with a shift in the type of roles he was offered, focusing more on mainstream movies than the character-driven theater work he had initially aspired to.

How did Dustin Hoffman feel about his early career in acting?

Hoffman shares that in his early years, he was content with the idea of being a character actor who would work constantly, even if it meant playing smaller, off-Broadway roles. He did not expect to achieve movie stardom and was focused on honing his craft, even if that meant long periods of unemployment.

Why did Hoffman choose to place the name 'Dave Singleman' on his dressing room door for *Death of a Salesman*?

Dave Singleman is a character in *Death of a Salesman* who represents Willy Loman's ideal of success: a man who, even at 84 years old, continues to make a living through his voice, without leaving his hotel room. Hoffman chose this name as a reminder of Willy Loman's idol and to connect with the idea of a person being able to make a living doing what they love, a key aspect of the American Dream.

How does Hoffman relate the character of Willy Loman to the profession of acting?

Hoffman connects Willy Loman’s profession as a salesman to the life of an actor, emphasizing that both are constantly selling themselves in order to succeed. He refers to Arthur Miller's statement that Willy Loman is, in essence, selling himself, which resonates with the actor's experience of constantly proving their worth in the industry.

What is the significance of the phrase 'the woods are burning' in *Death of a Salesman*?

In *Death of a Salesman*, the phrase 'the woods are burning' signifies a sense of urgency and the realization that time is running out. For Willy Loman, it refers to the pressure he feels as his dreams and life begin to unravel. Hoffman also relates this metaphor to the broader context of the play, noting that it feels particularly relevant today, with global challenges and personal struggles pressing in on individuals.

What was the criticism regarding Willy Loman as a tragic hero, and how does Hoffman respond?

Critics of *Death of a Salesman* initially argued that Willy Loman could not be considered a true tragic hero because he was not an aristocrat or a king. Hoffman counters this by referencing the idea that true tragedy can come from passion and personal struggle, rather than noble status. He agrees with the notion that Willy Loman belongs to an 'aristocracy of passionate souls' because of his deep emotional investment in his dreams.

How does Hoffman view the relevance of *Death of a Salesman* for modern audiences?

Hoffman believes that *Death of a Salesman* remains highly relevant for contemporary audiences, especially younger generations who may not have been born when it was written. He describes how the themes of failure, dreams, and the pursuit of success continue to resonate with modern viewers, showing that the emotional core of the play remains timeless.

Why does Hoffman consider Arthur Miller to be one of America's greatest playwrights?

Hoffman views Arthur Miller as a key figure in American theater, likening him to Shakespeare in terms of his cultural and emotional impact. He admires how Miller’s work, particularly *Death of a Salesman*, speaks to universal themes of human ambition and failure, transcending its original time period to remain relevant for audiences of all ages.

What was the impact of having young audiences attend *Death of a Salesman* performances?

Hoffman highlights the strong emotional response of younger audiences, particularly teenagers, who attended the play during matinees. Despite being unfamiliar with the historical context of the 1949 setting, these young viewers were still deeply moved by the themes of the play, proving that its emotional core is universal and timeless.

How does Hoffman reconcile his personal journey with Willy Loman's character?

Hoffman reflects that, like Willy Loman, he has faced personal challenges in his career, including the tension between dreams of success and the realities of the industry. He sees parallels between Willy’s struggles and the actor’s own efforts to make a living doing what they love while also navigating personal doubts and societal pressures. Hoffman acknowledges that, in the end, both actors and salesmen share the human desire to be valued and to achieve personal fulfillment.