Glen Powell's Most Embarrassing Hollywood Moment & Spicy 'Hot Ones' Antics

Glen Powell recently spilled the tea (and hot sauce) on a disastrous early-career script reading with screen legend Dustin Hoffman, along with other wild behind-the-scenes stories, during his sweat-soaked appearance on "Hot Ones."

TL;DR: The Hot Takeaways

• Glen Powell bombed an early script read for Dustin Hoffman due to intense star-struck nerves.
• He hilariously misunderstood "jerk vest" as "jerk-fest" during his "Hot Ones" interview.
• Powell shared advice from Sylvester Stallone on "cinema muscles" and a real tornado encounter while filming "Twisters."

When a Hollywood Dream Becomes a Real-Life Nightmare: The Hoffman Encounter

Imagine this: you're fresh in Hollywood, barely a week into your big-city adventure, and you find yourself at a dinner table next to one of the greatest actors of all time, Dustin Hoffman. For Glen Powell, this wasn't a dream sequence; it was his reality. Hoffman, the legendary star of "The Graduate" and "Kramer vs. Kramer," even complimented Powell on his work in "The Great Debaters," a film Powell thought no one had seen. "The fact that he saw this movie just blew my mind. I was like 'This is the coolest moment of my entire life,'" Powell recounted on "Hot Ones."

The story, however, takes a sharp turn from fanboy fantasy to cringe-worthy reality. Days later, Hoffman followed through on a promise to "keep in touch," calling Powell directly and inviting him to his office for a script reading. Powell was, understandably, losing his mind. This was his shot, a golden ticket handed to him by a Hollywood icon.

"I started reading them, but I was so in awe that Dustin Hoffman was sitting across from me. He’s one of my favorite actors of all time. As I’m reading, I’m watching the life drain from his eyes, being like, ‘This guy sucks so bad.’ And I was like, ‘Oh no.'"

— Glen Powell on his disastrous script read with Dustin Hoffman

The pressure, the awe, the sheer weight of the moment proved too much. Powell vividly described watching "the life drain from his [Hoffman's] eyes," realizing in real-time that he was bombing the read. He left that meeting "so defeated," convinced he had squandered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's a relatable tale for anyone who's ever choked under pressure when meeting a hero.

Transforming Star-Struck Nerves into Collaborative Confidence

While that early experience was undoubtedly mortifying, Powell reveals it became a pivotal learning moment, reshaping his perspective on the industry. He realized that to succeed, he needed to stop viewing legends as untouchable icons and start seeing them as fellow "players and performers."

"What you start to realize is that all this business is is play," Powell explained. "You start looking at these guys as, like, legends, and then you start looking at them as collaborators who are just trying to make magic for audiences around the world." This shift allowed him to approach auditions and on-set interactions with a more grounded, collaborative mindset, rather than being paralyzed by awe.

This perspective change is crucial for sustained success in any high-pressure field. If you're constantly overwhelmed by the status of those around you, it becomes impossible to perform at your best. For Powell, it meant finding his footing and eventually starring in blockbusters like 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick," "Anyone But You," and the upcoming "Twisters" and "The Running Man."

Spicy Misunderstandings and Cinematic Muscle Wisdom

Powell's recent appearance on "Hot Ones" itself was a masterclass in hilarious on-screen mishaps and candid revelations. While attempting to conquer increasingly fiery chicken wings, he and host Sean Evans hit a snag over movie lingo. Evans asked Powell about a "jerk vest," a stunt harness that yanks actors on a wire. Powell, however, heard something entirely different.

"I’m sorry, what?!" Powell exclaimed, fighting off a laugh. He clarified his confusion: "I thought you said jerk-fest!" The misunderstanding completely derailed the interview for a moment, leading to a profuse-sweating Powell declaring, "Oh my God. I’m like, ‘That’s how you make it in Hollywood!’ Oh sh—! We don’t talk about that!" (Source: TheWrap, Glen Powell Hilariously Mishears ‘Hot Ones’ Question, Nov 15, 2025).

Beyond the laughs, Powell also shared some practical, if unexpected, advice from action legend Sylvester Stallone, whom he worked with on "Expendables 3" about a decade ago. While training for the film, Powell was working hard but not seeing the camera-ready results he expected.

Stallone offered a unique tip: "It’s the traps and the forearms. The cinema muscles." He advised Powell to "just bulk those puppies out" instead of wasting time on other muscle groups, especially since he wouldn't be shirtless in that particular movie. It’s a fascinating insight into how even physical preparation in Hollywood can be tailored for the camera's specific demands. (Source: Just Jared, Glen Powell Reveals Which Muscles Sylvester Stallone Told Him to Work On... During 'Hot Ones' Appearance, Nov 13, 2025).

Dodging Real Tornadoes and Dedication to On-Screen Action

Powell's stories weren't limited to human encounters. Filming the upcoming disaster movie "Twisters" brought its own set of challenges, including an unexpected cameo from Mother Nature herself. He recalled a scene with co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones where they were on top of a truck, looking out at the horizon. The crew started "stirring a bit" in the distance, but the actors couldn't hear what was happening. They soon turned around to find a real tornado "dropping behind us." Talk about method acting! This terrifying incident certainly adds authenticity to the film.

Speaking of authenticity, Powell is known for his commitment to doing his own stunts, even if it means bruising a bit. While filming "The Running Man," directed by Edgar Wright and adapted from a Stephen King novel, Powell insisted on doing all his stunts in-camera. (Source: ScreenRant, The Running Man Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Continues A Strong Stephen King Streak, Nov 15, 2025). He recounted one particularly intense stunt where he threw himself off a high place repeatedly. After reviewing the playback, he realized his face wasn't visible, prompting him to ask director Edgar Wright for a compromise: "I at least want the audience to know that I’m the one taking the hits." It highlights the dedication (and occasional frustration) of actors who push themselves for the sake of realism.

Example: The Aspiring Actor's Predicament

Consider an aspiring comedy writer, Maya, who lands an interview with her idol, a celebrated showrunner. Prepared for weeks, she walks into the office, sees her hero, and suddenly her mind goes blank. Every clever anecdote, every sharp insight she’d rehearsed vanishes, replaced by a stammering mess. She leaves feeling utterly defeated, just like Powell. It's a common experience, showcasing how the human element of awe can sometimes overshadow preparation and skill.

Embarrassing Mom Moments and Sports Fanaticism

The "Hot Ones" interview also delved into lighter, more personal territory, like his mother's acting cameos. Powell revealed his mom was most proud of her role in "Chad Powers," where she had to comically moan in a hospital waiting room. His mom, ever the dedicated performer, would send him clips of her "practicing moaning." Powell sheepishly recalled a time he was listening to these practice clips in public when someone overheard, only to have to explain, "Oh, no, no, no, it’s just my mom."

Finally, Powell's Texas roots shone through when he declared Vince Young his all-time favorite Texas Longhorns quarterback. He passionately recounted the 2005 national championship win against USC, a moment that blew his mind growing up in Austin as a dedicated Longhorn fan, following in his grandparents' and parents' footsteps.

Powell's "Hot Ones" journey concluded, predictably, with him being "soaked" in sweat, accidentally dousing his final wing in too much hot sauce. When Evans joked about his overzealous "dab," Powell retorted, "I always get accused of spanking too hard," quickly adding, "That was so weird. Why’d I say that?" Evans' easy response, "Blame it on the sauce!" perfectly captured the wild, uninhibited spirit of the show.

Practical Takeaways from Glen Powell's Candid Confessions

• Embrace the learning curve: Even Hollywood stars bomb auditions. The key is to learn from the setbacks and adapt your approach.
• Shift your perspective: Seeing idols as collaborators rather than distant legends can free you to perform more authentically and build stronger relationships.
• Prepare for the unexpected: From real tornadoes to spicy sauce-induced brain fog, be ready for things to go off-script and maintain your composure (or humor!).
• Value unique advice: Sometimes the most unconventional wisdom, like "cinema muscles" from Sylvester Stallone, proves to be surprisingly effective.

FAQ: All Your Burning Questions Answered

When did Glen Powell's "Hot Ones" episode air? Glen Powell's "Hot Ones" episode recently aired around November 13-15, 2025. What upcoming movies is Glen Powell starring in? Glen Powell is currently starring in "The Running Man," directed by Edgar Wright, and will also be seen in "Twisters." Has Glen Powell worked with Dustin Hoffman since the script read? As of now, Glen Powell has not been in a movie alongside Dustin Hoffman since that early career script reading. What is "The Running Man" about? "The Running Man" is directed by Edgar Wright and adapted from a novel by Stephen King, suggesting it's likely a sci-fi action or thriller film.

Sources

• Variety, "Glen Powell Recalls Bombing an Early-Career Script Read with Dustin Hoffman: ‘I’m Watching Him and I’m Losing Him’," Andrew McGowan, Nov 15, 2025.
• TheWrap, "Glen Powell Hilariously Mishears ‘Hot Ones’ Question: ‘I’m Sorry, What?!’ | Video," Nov 15, 2025.
• Just Jared, "Glen Powell Reveals Which Muscles Sylvester Stallone Told Him to Work On & Who He Bombed a Script Read in Front Of During 'Hot Ones' Appearance," JJ Staff, Nov 13, 2025.
• ScreenRant, "The Running Man Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Continues A Strong Stephen King Streak," Fariba Rezwan, Nov 15, 2025.