Imagine being so starstruck that you completely botch a script reading with one of the greatest actors of all time. That’s exactly what happened to Glen Powell early in his career when he found himself face-to-face with the legendary Dustin Hoffman. But here’s where it gets even more cringe-worthy—Powell wasn’t just nervous; he could literally see the disappointment in Hoffman’s eyes as he fumbled through the lines. Ouch.
During a recent appearance on Hot Ones, Powell shared this humbling story, revealing how a chance encounter at a dinner party led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and an equally memorable failure. It all started when Hoffman, having seen Powell’s work in The Great Debaters, approached him with praise and an invitation to stay in touch. And this is the part most people miss—Hoffman wasn’t just being polite; he genuinely followed up, calling Powell personally and inviting him to read for a project at his office.
Excited but overwhelmed, Powell arrived at Hoffman’s office, only to be handed a script and asked to perform on the spot. ‘I was so in awe of him,’ Powell recalled. ‘He’s one of my all-time favorite actors, and there I was, sitting across from him. But as I started reading, I could see the life drain from his eyes. It was like he was thinking, This guy is terrible.’ The situation spiraled further downhill as Powell became hyper-aware of his own mistakes, making it impossible to recover.
Here’s the controversial part: While many would chalk this up to nerves, Powell later realized it was his own idolization of Hoffman that sabotaged him. He explained, ‘You start seeing these legends as untouchable, but they’re just collaborators trying to create something magical. Once I stopped putting them on a pedestal, I could perform without the pressure.’
Fast forward to today, and Powell has become a household name, starring alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, charming audiences in the rom-com Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney, and tackling the adventure blockbuster Twisters. Though he hasn’t yet shared the screen with Hoffman, he’s currently starring in The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright and adapted from a Stephen King novel. But here’s the question that’ll spark debate: Does success in Hollywood require shedding your admiration for the greats, or is there a way to balance respect with confidence? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re all ears!
Watch Powell’s full Hot Ones interview here to hear more about his journey from starstruck newbie to leading man.
