Glen Powell Reflects on Humbling Audition with Dustin Hoffman

LOS ANGELES, CA — Glen Powell, known for his breakout roles in films such as Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, recently shared a humbling experience from his early days in Hollywood during an interview on the show Hot Ones.

Powell, now a rising star, recalled a pivotal audition with renowned actor Dustin Hoffman shortly after moving to Los Angeles at age 19. While dining with Hoffman during his first week in town, Powell learned that the Oscar-winning actor had seen his performance in The Great Debaters. Powell described the moment as surreal, saying, ‘The fact that he saw this movie just blew my mind.’

After their initial meeting, Hoffman invited Powell to read for a role in his office. However, the excitement quickly turned into anxiety as Powell struggled to perform. ‘I started reading [the pages], but I was so in awe that Dustin Hoffman was sitting across from me,’ Powell recounted. ‘I’m watching the life drain from his eyes… I left so defeated.’

Despite the setback, Powell learned a valuable lesson about the industry. ‘What you start to realize is that all this business is play,’ he explained. ‘You start looking at these guys as collaborators who are just trying to make magic for audiences around the world.’

Now, with an impressive filmography to his name, Powell reflects on how his perspective has changed. ‘The excitement of this business hasn’t worn off, but my perspective has,’ he stated.

Powell’s latest film, The Running Man, is currently in theaters, showcasing his growth as an actor.