Surviving "The Graduate"

When director Mike Nichols approached Dustin Hoffman to star in "The Graduate," Hoffman initially resisted, believing he was wrong for the role of Benjamin Braddock—an affluent, all-American WASP—because Hoffman is Jewish. Nichols convinced him to take the part, responding to Hoffman's concerns by saying "Maybe he's Jewish inside," after the studio had spent nearly two years unsuccessfully trying to cast the role with actors like Robert Redford. Hoffman accepted and went on to star in the film, though he struggled with insecurity throughout production.