Dustin Hoffman 'surgically cured' of cancer

Dustin Hoffman, 75, has been "surgically cured" of cancer (Getty Images)

Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman is reportedly doing well after being successfully treated for cancer.

A spokeswoman said that Hoffman is "feeling great and in good health" after undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer.

The news of the 75-year-old actor-director’s illness was confirmed by his publicist to People.com yesterday.

Jodi Gottlieb told the website that Hoffman's cancer was detected early and "surgically cured".

The Oscar-winning star of Rainman and Kramer vs. Kramer will undergo preventative treatments to minimise the chance of the cancer returning.

Hoffman made his directorial debut last year with Quartet starring Maggie Smith.

The actor finished production on Jon Favreau's Chef last month and is due to start filming Roald Dahl's Esio Trot with Dame Judi Dench later this year.

He is also due to star in feature film Boys Choir which is scheduled to begin production later this year.

Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California in 1937. He began acting at the Pasadena Playhouse where he met Gene Hackman.

Following several bit parts in television and films he landed his big break in 1967 film The Graduate. Other notable film roles include Tootsie (1982), in which he played a cross-dresser, Rain Man (1988) in which he starred alongside Tom Cruise, and 2004 film Meet The Fockers.

Other high profile actors who have recently suffered from the disease include Michael Douglas, who is in remission from throat cancer. Earlier this year Angelina Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy after learning she carried a faulty gene that heightened her chances of developing breast cancer.