Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman get on like a house on fire on red carpet of their new thriller in Toronto after younger actor admitted to ‘crippling fear’ about working with icon

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Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman hit it off splendidly upon meeting at the debut of their latest movie, Tuner, on Monday evening.

I had the privilege of attending the world premiere of the latest thriller at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which was held at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

In this version, thirty-eight-year-old Leo and elderly Dustin take on the main parts. The character Leo portrays, Niki, is an enthusiastic pianist who unexpectedly gets mixed up with a group of burglars.

Dustin plays Niki’s mentor in the film, which is set for a UK release date in 2026.

At the premiere in Toronto, photos depict the two men looking as if they’ve been friends for a lifetime while chatting comfortably in front of the cameras.

The duo, filled with hearty laughter, found themselves deeply involved in a chat, sometimes even appearing oblivious to the presence of the recording equipment.

Leo donned a checked wool-blend bomber jacket over a shirt and navy tie, rounding off his ensemble with trouser pants.

Dustin appeared stylish as well, donning a white shirt beneath a navy blazer, complementing his attire with black trousers.

Dustin looked smart and tidy, wearing a white shirt under a navy suit jacket, and completing the outfit with a pair of black chinos.

The lively show by them on the red carpet follows Leo’s admission that he initially struggled with apprehension regarding collaborating with Dustin.

As a devoted admirer, I shared my nerves with Variety, confessing that initially, I was struck by paralyzing dread. After all, no one wants to disappoint a legendary figure like Dustin Hoffman!

You tend to have more doubts about yourself and overanalyze things. In the initial days, I dove right in and there was a fair amount of improvisation during our first day as well.”

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Initially, I needed several practice sessions before I felt somewhat comfortable, self-assured, and enthusiastic to fully engage in the long, approximately 15-20 minute improvisations with him.

If someone had told me prior to filming that I’d be engaging in extended improvisations with Dustin Hoffman, I likely would have opted out due to fear. However, it ended up being the most enjoyable acting experience for me.

Dustin’s appearance at the premiere is a rare outing for the star these days. 

The actor’s storied career has spanned over six decades as he has nearly 100 credits to his name.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, this individual has not only scaled the heights of their industry but also received two Oscars in 1980 and 1989.

Dustin is married to his wife Lisa Hoffman who is 17 years his junior.

They got married in 1980, having been acquainted with one another due to family ties. Their children are Jacob (born in 1977), Rebecca (born in 1979), Maxwell (born in 1981), and Ali (born in 1983).

Besides being a father to Karina who is 58, and Jenna aged 54, Dustin was previously married to Anne Byrne for 11 years until 1980. Later the same year, he tied the knot with Lisa.

In the interview with Closer, Lisa explained that in Hollywood, time seems to pass more quickly, similar to how a year for a dog equals seven human years. Hence, she suggested multiplying this accelerated rate of change by seven when considering relationships in Hollywood.

In simple terms, she mentioned that over 40 years since their wedding, she and the man famous for playing The Rainman still feel deeper in love than ever before, and their love for one another keeps on expanding.

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2025-09-09 04:06