Lillian Hoffman: Who is Dustin Hoffman’s mother?

Lillian Hoffman is the mother of Dustin Hoffman. Lillian Hoffman’s son is an American actor. As one of the critical actors in the formation of New Hollywood, Hoffman is known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable characters. He received numerous accolades for his contribution to the industry, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. 

Lillian Hoffman: Bio Summary

Who is Dustin Hoffman’s mother?

Lillian Hoffman was born in November 1909 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America as Lillian Gold. She was the daughter of  Louis Isadore Gold and Celia Gold. Lillian is famous for being the mother of Dustin Hoffman. Aside from Dustin, Lillian had an elder son- Ronald Hoffman. Ronald is a lawyer and economist. Lillian Gold was married to Harry Hoffman, a prop supervisor (set decorator) at Columbia Pictures before becoming a furniture salesman.

According to Dustin’s Wikipedia, he was named after stage and silent screen actor Dustin Farnum. The Hoffmans were Jews from an Ashkenazi Jewish family of immigrants from Kyiv, Ukraine (then a part of the Russian Empire), and Iași, Romania. 

ALSO, READ; Ronald Hoffman: Facts About Dustin Hoffman’s Brother

However, according to the actor, his upbringing was not religious. He has said, “I don’t have any memory of celebrating holidays growing up that were Jewish“, and that he had “realized” he was Jewish at around the age of 10. He also told the NYMag– “We’re Jewish, but my father was atheist, so we celebrated Christmas. I went out once when I understood the irony of it and bought bagels to string around the tree. Now we celebrate Hanukkah.“

According to Rollingstone, Dustin’s mother, Lillian, used to dance in the aisles at movie houses as a young girl and dreamed of doing it on the stage. She did pass an audition once, but her mother forbade her to take the job.

What happened to Dustin Hoffman’s mother?

Lillian Hoffman passed away in 1982 in San Diego County, California, United States of America. She was 73 years old at the time of her death. There aren’t many details about the cause of her death. Lillian Hoffman was laid to rest at El Camino Memorial Park San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA per her Findagrave page.

ALSO, READ; Who Is Jake Hoffman?: Dustin Hoffman And Lisa Hoffman’s Son

Lillian Hoffman’s son Dustin

Hoffman initially hoped to become a classical pianist, having studied piano during much of his youth. However, when he graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1955 and enrolled at Santa Monica College with the intention of studying medicine. But he decided to become an actor, leaving the next year to join the Pasadena Playhouse, although when he told his family about his career goal, his Aunt Pearl warned him, “You can’t be an actor. You are not good-looking enough.“

Fast forward, Dustin Hoffman has received two Academy Awards for Best Actor for Kramer vs. Kramer, and Rain Man. His other Oscar-nominated roles were for The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy, Lenny, Tootsie, and Wag the Dog. The actor married Anne Byrne in May 1969. He adopted Karina Hoffman-Birkhead (b. 1966), Byrne’s child from a previous marriage, and with Byrne had a daughter  Jenna Byrne (born October 15, 1970).

The couple divorced in 1980. He began seeing Lisa Gottsegen after the divorce and the couple married in October 1980. They have four children: Jacob Edward (born March 20, 1981),  Rebecca Hoffman (b. March 17, 1983), Max Hoffman (born August 30, 1984), and Alexandra Lydia “Ali” (born October 27, 1987). As of 2023, Dustin Hoffman is 86 years old.