Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor known for his work in theater, film, and television. He struggled early in his career, working in low-budget Off-Broadway productions in New York. He once revealed that he lived below the poverty line in the U.S. until he was 31 years old. His fortunes changed when he was cast as a naïve and confused young man in The Graduate (1967). The film established Hoffman in Hollywood. Before The Graduate, he struggled to land major roles. Following its success, he gained widespread acclaim and later starred alongside well-established actors such as Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Gene Hackman. Some famous films from Hoffman's career include Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988), for which he won Academy Awards for Best Actor. In addition to his film career, he has performed extensively in theater. He has also appeared in made-for-TV movies and received praise for his voice work as Master Shifu in Kung Fu Panda (2008).