Glen Powell recently shared a memorable and awkward experience from his early days in Hollywood, recounting a pivotal moment with Dustin Hoffman that left him doubting his abilities. The Glen Powell Hollywood audition story, told with gentle humor and candor, highlights both the struggles and lessons that come with chasing a dream in the film industry.
A Dinner with Dustin Hoffman: An Unexpected Opportunity
During an appearance on “Hot Ones” from First We Feast, Glen Powell described a chance encounter with legendary actor Dustin Hoffman shortly after arriving in Hollywood. Powell recalled,
My first week [in Hollywood], I found myself at a dinner sitting next to Dustin Hoffman.
He was stunned to learn that Hoffman had actually seen Powell’s earlier work.
The fact that [Hoffman] saw this movie just blew my mind,
said Powell, referring to his minor role in “The Great Debaters.” Hoffman’s recognition was more than just a passing comment—he offered Powell encouragement by noting,
He said, ‘You’re a good actor.
This sincere compliment left a strong impression on Powell, and it soon led to an invitation that would test his nerves.
The Audition That Nearly Unraveled Everything
A few days after their dinner, Dustin Hoffman contacted Powell, inviting him to his office for a script reading. Overwhelmed by excitement and disbelief, Powell admitted feeling “out of his mind” as he accepted the opportunity. Once in Hoffman’s office, he was handed a script and asked to read aloud, only to find the moment nearly too much to bear. Powell confessed,
I started reading [it], but I was so in awe that Dustin Hoffman was sitting across from me,
revealing how intimidating the experience was.
As the reading continued, Powell sensed his performance dwindling, unable to shake the weight of the moment. He described the scene:
I’m watching the life drain from his eyes, being like, ‘This guy sucks so bad.
The pressure compounded as his confidence wavered, shown in his own words:
I’m watching him [and] I’m losing him,
followed by,
And then I’m being like, ‘Yeah, you’re losing him,’ and then I look back and I’m losing him even more.
These escalating doubts captured the intensity of a young actor’s anxiety during a potentially life-changing career moment.
Finding Perspective and Growth After Meltdown
Despite feeling like he had completely bombed the audition, Glen Powell came away from the experience with a powerful realization. Over time, he began to view his nervous collapse not as a failure, but as a lesson in how to approach his craft and others in the industry. The Glen Powell Hollywood audition story ultimately evolved into a philosophy shift, with Powell reflecting,
You start looking at these guys as, like, legends, and then you start looking at them as collaborators who are just trying to make magic for audiences around the world.
His words offer encouragement for aspiring performers, illustrating that even in the face of setbacks—or even embarrassment—there is room for growth and reconsideration.
Glen Powell’s candid account provides a unique window into the pressures young actors face and the importance of resilience in Hollywood. By learning to see established stars like Dustin Hoffman as partners rather than distant icons, Powell turned an awkward audition into an opportunity for personal and professional development, sending a message of optimism to others navigating the highs and lows of Hollywood.
