The Running Man Star Glen Powell’s Mortifying Moment With Dustin Hoffman

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Glen Powell, known for his role in The Running Man, shared a particularly awkward Hollywood story. He recalled a disastrous script reading with Dustin Hoffman, saying he could literally see Hoffman lose interest.

On a recent episode of Hot Ones with Sean Evans, Denzel Washington shared a story about starting out in Hollywood. He admitted he used to be incredibly impressed by famous actors, and Dustin Hoffman was one of them. Washington remembered the first time he met Hoffman, the actor complimented his work in The Great Debaters. Powell was floored by the praise and thrilled Hoffman had enjoyed the film and his performance.

During my first week, I unexpectedly found myself seated next to Dustin Hoffman at dinner. He told me he’d seen my film, The Great Debaters, which was incredible to me – honestly, it felt like the best moment of my life! He complimented my acting, and I was completely starstruck, just thanking him over and over.

His luck changed when Hoffman mentioned a possible part he wanted him to audition for, though Powell never revealed what the movie was. Hoffman told him, “I have something for you, let’s stay in touch.” Shortly after, Powell was amazed to receive a call from the famous actor himself, inviting him to his home. “I was so excited!” Powell recalled. “He said he wanted me to come over and read for something.”

He immediately accepted the offer, but his enthusiasm quickly faded when he started reading the script. Powell admitted he was intimidated because he greatly admired Dustin Hoffman. “I was so starstruck sitting across from him – he’s one of my favorite actors. But as I read, I could see Hoffman becoming increasingly disappointed, and I realized I wasn’t doing a good job,” he explained. “I knew I was messing up.”

He recalled feeling terrible when he finally left, explaining that he was caught in a painful cycle of realizing he was drifting away from someone, acknowledging the loss, and then feeling it even more intensely. He left feeling completely defeated.

Although the situation was deeply embarrassing, Powell ultimately took something positive away from it. He realized that even famous celebrities are just regular people. After years in the industry, he’s learned to see them as coworkers instead of putting them on a pedestal. He still enjoys meeting and collaborating with people he respects, but now he’s able to interact with them in a more natural and relaxed way.

At first, you see these performers as icons, but then you realize they’re just fellow creators working to entertain people globally. That’s the shift in how I view things. I still love the energy of this industry, but my outlook has changed over time.

The Running Man will premiere in theaters on November 14, 2025.

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2025-11-14 02:38