Dustin Hoffman says filming The Graduate was ‘a terrible experience’ due to Mike Nichols’ ‘sadism’

In his upcoming memoir Look at Me, Dustin Hoffman describes filming The Graduate as a terrible experience. The actor reveals he felt uncomfortable and unworthy playing Ben Braddock. Hoffman claims director Mike Nichols exhibited sadism during production, alleging he was slapped 27 times for a scene that was ultimately unused. These revelations, shared via the New Yorker, highlight the insecurities Hoffman faced during the 1967 production of the film that launched his iconic Hollywood career.