To prepare for his role, Hoffman watched the 1978 film La Cage aux Folles several times. He also visited the set of General Hospital for research and conducted extensive makeup tests. Hoffman has stated that he was shocked to learn that although makeup could be used to allow him to credibly appear as a woman, he would never be a beautiful one. His epiphany occurred when he realized that although he found Dorothy interesting, he would not have spoken to her at a party because she was not beautiful, and because of this, he had missed the opportunity for many conversations with interesting women. He concluded that he had never regarded Tootsie as a comedy.
to prepare for his role hoffman watched the 1978 film la cage aux folles several times he also visited the set of general hospital for research and conducted extensive makeup tests hoffman has stated that he was shocked to learn that although makeup could be used to allow him to credibly appear as a woman he would never be a beautiful one his epiphany occurred when he realized that although he found dorothy interesting he would not have spoken to her at a party because she was not beautiful and because of this he had missed the opportunity for many conversations with interesting women he concluded that he had never regarded tootsie as a comedy