Tootsie

Tootsie, motion-picture comedy about an obnoxious, out-of-work actor who disguises himself as a woman to get a role and finds great success. Released in 1982, this Academy Award-winning box-office hit stars Dustin Hoffman as Michael Dorsey, a man who lands a role on a soap opera as an older, brassy woman. There he uses his new feminine status to rail against sleazy men and takes his acting abilities to national stardom. He also begins to fall in love with co-star Julie (played by Jessica Lange), who views Dorsey as her best friend, unaware of his gender status and his romantic desire for her. This film marks actor Geena Davis’s film debut.

Director

• Sydney Pollack

Cast

• Dustin Hoffman (Michael Dorsey, Dorothy Michaels)
• Jessica Lange (Julie)
• Teri Garr (Sandy)
• Dabney Coleman (Ron)
• Charles Durning (Les Nichols)
• Bill Murray (Jeff)
• Sydney Pollack (George Fields)
• George Gaynes (John Van Horn)
• Geena Davis (April)
• Doris Belack (Rita)
• Ellen Foley (Jacqui)
• Peter Gatto (Rick)
• Lynne Thigpen (Jo)
• Ronald L. Schwary (Phil Weintraub)
• Debra Mooney (Mrs. Mallory)
• Amy Lawrence (Amy)
• Kenny Sinclair (Boy)
• Susan Merson (Page)
• Michael Ryan (Middle-aged man)
• James Carruthers (Middle-aged man)
• Robert D. Wilson (Stage hand)
• Estelle Getty (Middle-aged woman)
• Christine Ebersole (Linda)
• Bernie Pollack (Actor)
• Sam Stoneburner (Actor)
• Marjorie Lovett (Salesgirl)
• Willy Switkes (Man at cab)
• Gregory Camillucci (Maitre d')
• Barbara Spiegel (Billie)
• Tony Craig (Joel)
• Walter Cline (Bartender)
• Suzanne von Schaack (Party girl)
• Anne Shropshire (Mrs. Crawley)
• Pamela Lincoln (Secretary)
• Mary Donnet (Receptionist)
• Bernie Passeltiner (Mac)
• Mallory Jones (Girl)
• Patti Cohane (Girl)
• Murray Schisgal (Party guest)
• Greg Gorman (Photographer)
• Richard Whiting (Priest)
• Tom Mardirosian (Stage manager)
• Jim Jansen (Stage manager)
• Richard Wirth (Mel)
• Gavin Reed (Director)
• Annie Korzen (Autograph hound)
• Ibbits Warriner (Autograph hound)
• Lois de Banzie (Autograph hound)
• Stephen C. Prutting (Autograph hound)
• Carole Holland (Autograph hound)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (1982): Jessica Lange
• Best Motion Picture—Comedy/Musical (1982)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Comedy/Musical (1982): Dustin Hoffman
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role—Motion Picture (1982): Jessica Lange

Trivia

• This film’s title was suggested by actor Hoffman, after his own mother’s nickname for him.
• Director Pollack also acts in this film as Dorsey’s agent George Fields.

Quotes

• Dorsey (to Julie): “I was a better man with you as a woman than I ever was with a woman as a man.”