Hoffman speaks on sense of failure

Hollywood veteran Dustin Hoffman spoke about his sense of failure while accepting an award from the New York Lincoln Centre yesterday.

"I became an actor because I believed I was a failure," said Hoffman, this year's honoree at the centre's annual tribute gala.

"And in acting, because so few of us ever get work, I could feel proud and fail with dignity," he said.

The 67-year-old star wrapped up an evening of affectionate tributes from a host of Hollywood luminaries, who testified to Hoffman's influence on a generation of actors.

The gala ceremony included clips from his best-known movies, including his breakout role in The Graduate, and his Oscar-winning performances in Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man.