Dustin Hoffman was slapped twenty-seven times during the filming of The Graduate

Dustin Hoffman reflects on the challenging filming of "The Graduate" in his upcoming book, "Look at Me." He describes feeling out of place and anxious, particularly due to director Mike Nichols' harsh demeanor. Hoffman recalls a scene where co-star Katherine Ross slapped him multiple times, which added to his discomfort. Despite the film launching his career, he felt it amplified his insecurities and doubts about his suitability for the role. Hoffman characterizes Nichols as difficult and somewhat sadistic, noting that the director was particularly critical of him. He also shares that the slapping scene was intense, with Nichols urging Ross to hit harder, leading to physical discomfort for Hoffman.