I lived below the official American poverty line until I was 31.

I lived below the official American poverty line until I was 31.

Dustin Hoffman

Life stinks, but that doesn't mean you don't enjoy it.

Life stinks, but that doesn't mean you don't enjoy it.

I think the most insulting thing you can do to a director is to challenge when he or she is satisfied with your interpretation.

I think the most insulting thing you can do to a director is to challenge when he or she is satisfied with your interpretation.

It's very painful for us to feel we deserve a life. That's the toughest thing. That we deserve to have a life. That can take a lifetime.

It's very painful for us to feel we deserve a life. That's the toughest thing. That we deserve to have a life. That can take a lifetime.

The Academy Awards are obscene, dirty . . . no better than a beauty contest.

The Academy Awards are obscene, dirty . . . no better than a beauty contest.

Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me... aren't you?

Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me... aren't you?

Many actors want to play Hamlet and Macbeth. Ever since I became an actor, from the very beginning I just wanted to play a Shetland pony. I cannot explain why

Many actors want to play Hamlet and Macbeth. Ever since I became an actor, from the very beginning I just wanted to play a Shetland pony. I cannot explain why

A good review from the critics is just another stay of execution.

A good review from the critics is just another stay of execution.

One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.

One of the things you can do as an actor, is compensate for the things you can't do in life.

I decided to become an actor because I was failing in school and I needed the credits.

I decided to become an actor because I was failing in school and I needed the credits.

If you're waiting for the job, you're dead.

If you're waiting for the job, you're dead.

Blame is for God and small children.

Blame is for God and small children.

If you can get out there and say I'm going to... I'm willing to fail at what I feel is right, that's it.

If you can get out there and say I'm going to... I'm willing to fail at what I feel is right, that's it.

I feel cheated never being able to know what it's like to get pregnant, carry a child and breast-feed.

I feel cheated never being able to know what it's like to get pregnant, carry a child and breast-feed.

I love acting, and I`m not going to determine what I do based on what I fear other people might think. I do what I want to do.

I love acting, and I`m not going to determine what I do based on what I fear other people might think. I do what I want to do.

I knew I finally made it as a performer when I began hearing rumors that I was gay.

I knew I finally made it as a performer when I began hearing rumors that I was gay.

The two basic items necessary to sustain life are sunshine and coconut milk.

The two basic items necessary to sustain life are sunshine and coconut milk.

Life is an occasion...rise to it.

Life is an occasion...rise to it.

To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level be scared shitless of his wife.

To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level be scared shitless of his wife.