Hoffman honoured for achievements in film

HOLLYWOOD actor Dustin Hoffman was honoured last night voted for by the cinema-going public.

Minority Report won three gongs best director for Steven Spielberg, best actor for Tom Cruise and best British actress for Samantha Morton.

Hugh Grant triumphed in the best British actor category for his role in About A Boy, while Rosamund Pike, star of Bond film Die Another Day, was voted best newcomer.

Lord Of The Rings won best film for the second year running, this time for The Two Towers.

The best actress award went to Spider-Man's Kirsten Dunst while sci-fi chiller 28 Days Later was named best British film.with a lifetime achievement award for a film career which has spanned 35 years.

The double-Oscar winner was special guest at the Empire film awards held in London's Dorchester Hotel.

Hoffman, 65, was presented with the award by fellow Hollywood star Benicio del Toro.

Hoffman's first movie role was as Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate and he went on to star in classics such as Midnight Cowboy, Marathon Man and Tootsie.

He picked up his first Oscar in 1980 for Kramer vs Kramer and won for the second time in 1988 for Rain Man.

The Empire Awards, now in their eighth year, are voted for by the cinema-going public.

Minority Report won three gongs best director for Steven Spielberg, best actor for Tom Cruise and best British actress for Samantha Morton.

Hugh Grant triumphed in the best British actor category for his role in About A Boy, while Rosamund Pike, star of Bond film Die Another Day, was voted best newcomer.

Lord Of The Rings won best film for the second year running, this time for The Two Towers.

The best actress award went to Spider-Man's Kirsten Dunst while sci-fi chiller 28 Days Later was named best British film.