By Sheri

HOFFMAN AND BATEMAN SURPRISE CROWD AT NBA FINALS

The Los Angeles Staples Center’s audience at game one of the NBA finals between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics saw more than just basketball Thursday, June 3, when actor Dustin Hoffman, 72, leaned over in his seat to start passionately smooching actor Jason Bateman, 41, who was sitting next to him.

Hoffman’s wife was sitting on the other side of Dustin when the ubiquitous “Kiss Me Cam”, a camera designed to capture couples in the audience kissing and show it on the Staple Center’s big screen, was focused on them. Dustin must have decided it would be hilarious to go the other way (literally!) and kiss Jason rather than his wife. (Hilariously brilliant decision as evidenced by the crowd’s laughing faces.)

People watching the big screen started smiling as soon as Dustin leaned toward Jason. Jason Bateman played along with Dustin Hoffman’s kiss and the Staples Center erupted with loud cheering for the “couple.” The graphics on the screen included a heart shape around the kissing Dustin and Jason which obviously added to the humor the audience was struck by.

I’ve always loved both Bateman and Hoffman but now it’s official! (I wish I could watch Arrested Development and Meet the Fockers right now!) Hoffman is known for his impromptu, deadpan sense of humor. I love the story about when, before he was well known as an actor, he was mistaken as a window cleaner when “The Graduate” director, Mike Nichols, was considering him for the lead – only after several big name actors turned it down or weren’t available. In pure Dustin Hoffman fashion, he began cleaning the studio exec’s windows as if he was the window cleaner — never letting on who he really was… (LOL)

(BTW, other stars at the game: Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Sandler, Snoop Dogg and Joe Jonas.)