Dustin Hoffman, "Tootsie" . . .

By Rick Farris

In 1981, I get a call from Gary Holt. Gary was the best motion picture lighting gaffer in the business, one of the best ever.
Gary had huge credits, and I'd have the luck of working on many of his lighting crews.
Working under Gary Holt, I'd be on the lighting crews of "One flew over the Cookoo's Nest", "Coming Home", "Being There", "Absence of Malice", "The Right Stuff", "The Natural", "Havana", "The Addams Family", and "Lethal Weapon-2".

Gary was going to be the lighting designer on a new Sydney Pollack film, Tootsie, that would eventually win every major Oscar in 1982.
I knew that Gary had landed the feature, and when I heard his voice on the phone I expected him to ask me to join him in New York on location.
As it turns out, the entire crew except the principle camera crew would be hired out of New York.
However, they would be shooting some tests in L.A. before hand. Make-up, wardrobe, film and lighting tests.
Gary needed to assemble a small stage crew to help him light the tests that would be shot at the Culver Studios lot.
We'd film the cast in their respective wardrobe and make-up, lens's would be selected, filters, lighting concerns.

This would be my first time working with Dustin Hoffman.
My friend Ralph, one of Holt's lighting techs, had met Hoffman many years back, in the 60's, before he was a star.
Ralph's friend owned a hair salon where both got their hair cut.
The two hit it off and laughed at memories of their mutual friend, Joey, the hair stylist.

Dustin Hoffman would portray a woman, or a man dressed as a woman, in the movie.
You can imagine how the make-up and hair stylists were buzzing around the legendary actor, making everything "just right."
Standing on his mark, before we roll film, the actor patiently awaits his cosmetic team to finish.
He begins to smile and looks off-camera to our friend, Ralph.

Hoffman comments to Ralph that their hairdresser friend would no doubt like the wig he was wearing.
Ralph laughs and has an important question for the actor.

"Hey Dustin, if you win the an Academy Award for this role, will you accept your Oscar as a man, or a woman?
Ralph's question caught the actor off-guard. When it sunk in he began to smile, he then answered, "You know, that's a good question."

Less than two years later, "Tootsie" wins a load of Oscars. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, etc.
Ironically, I just happen to be working with Ralph on the night Tootsie won it's Oscars.
Naturally, people on a film set have an interest in the Academy Awards, so they usually have a TV on set in which they can keep track of the event.

When the nominations for "Best Actor" are read, Ralph and I just happen to be standing near the TV set and move over to watch.
Dustin Hoffman wins and takes the stage for his acceptance speech.
Before he starts to speak he laughs, and then says, "You know, I didn't know whether to accept this award as a man, or a woman."

When Hoffman made the comment, Ralph and I turned to face each other, "Did you hear that?"
Others watching thought that was funny and laughed.
I told somebody that Hoffman got his line from Ralph, and they looked at me in disbelief.

Oh well, Hoffman's classic answer is now a part of Oscar Night history.
However, it was better watching him hear it from Ralph before we rolled camera on his make-up test.
It surprised him, made an impression that was lasting.
Good question, Rafael . . .