# Dustin Hoffman on 'The Graduate' Experience

> Dustin Hoffman recalls 'terrible experience' filming 'The Graduate' with director Mike Nichols.
- Title: Dustin Hoffman on 'The Graduate' Experience · Fox News
- Summary: Dustin Hoffman recalls 'terrible experience' filming 'The Graduate' with director Mike Nichols.
- Keywords: dustin hoffman, the graduate, mike nichols, academy award, bafta award, film production, acting experience, Fox News
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/entertainment/dustin-hoffman-had-terrible-experience-making-hollywood-classic-the-graduate
- Author: Lori Bashian
- Published: 2026-11-03T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dustin hoffman, the graduate, mike nichols, academy award, bafta award, film production, acting experience, news, politics
## Dustin Hoffman's experience
Dustin Hoffman called filming 'The Graduate' a 'terrible experience' that exacerbated his insecurities from the start.

> Dustin Hoffman is opening up about the 'terrible experience' he had while filming 'The Graduate'
## Academy Award nomination
Hoffman earned his first academy award nomination and a bafta award win for his role in the film.

> the film earned him his first academy award nomination and a bafta award win
## Feeling unworthy on set
Hoffman felt he had no right to be on set and was immediately uncomfortable and unworthy.

> i felt immediately uncomfortable and unworthy on set
## Director's attitude
Hoffman described director nichols as 'irritable with everyone' and 'frequently sour' on set.

> the director was irritable with everyone and frequently sour on set
## Slap scene
Hoffman was slapped 27 times for a scene that ended up being cut from the film.

> the scene has benjamin run into elaine’s room soaking wet from the rain to tell her he’s had an affair with an older woman
## Eardrum injury
Hoffman suffered a punctured eardrum after filming underwater scenes.

> blood trickling out of my ear
## Key takeaway

Dustin Hoffman says filming 'The Graduate' made him feel unworthy and insecure from the start.