In London last week for the opening of Last Chance Harvey, Dustin Hoffman revealed that the role of his ex-wife in the 1979 child custody drama Kramer vs Kramerwas originally to be played by Kate Jackson, who was famous at the time as one of the stars of Charlie's Angels.

When Jackson’s TV commitments prevented her from making the movie, Hoffman suggested Meryl Streep for the role, and director Robert Benton, who had not heard of Streep, took his advice.

The movie went on to win five Oscars, including best picture and two for Benton as writer and director, along with acting statuettes for both Hoffman and Streep.