Dustin Hoffman, who has two Academy Awards, six Golden Globes and a AFI Life Achievement Award to his credit, has signed on to star on HBO's pilot entitled Luck, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The horseracing drama, from Public Enemies' Michael Mann and Deadwood creator David Milch, marks the 72-year-old actor's first major TV gig in four decades.

Hoffman, who is known for his roles on Kramer vs. Kramer, Tootsie, Rain Man, Wag the Dog and Meet The Fockers, will be joining Dennis Farina and John Ortiz on Luck. Ortiz is credited for playing Carlos Tavares on Clubhouse while Farina has worked with Mann as a police consultant on the director's early works, including his TV series Crime Story.

On Luck, Hoffman portrays Ace Bernstein, a smart criminal who has always been involved with crooked activities surrounding the operations of a horse racing track. After spending four years behind bars, he reunites with Farina's Gus Economou, his longtime driver sidekick and enlists the help of Ortiz' Turo Escalante, a renowned horse trainer with a grim reputation, to generate an illicit scheme.

The Deadwood creator serves as director for the pilot with Carolyn Strauss  and Henry Bronchtein of The Sopranos serving as executive producers.

Luck is expected to start production in Los Angeles this spring.



(Image courtesy of of Wire Image)