George Clooney: 10 Things you didn’t know about the dashing actor

Just when we thought we had George Clooney sorted out to a predictable T, the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood stunned everyone by getting engaged and subsequently marrying his girlfriend, British human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin. Thankfully, trading in the bachelor life for the road to domestic bliss has not put a dampener on his acting career or globetrotting humanitarian efforts. In fact, the Oscar-winning actor best known for playing Dr Doug Ross on hit TV series ER has a new movie, Tomorrowland out in theatres this month and lo behold it’s a Disney movie no less. George Clooney stars as a former boy-genius who together with a gifted teenager sets out on a dangerous mission to unearth the secrets of ‘Tomorrowland,’ an enigmatic location caught between time and space.

In anticipation of this exciting adventure packed sci-fi movie, we’ve brushed up on our Clooney trivia and dug up 10 interesting facts you didn’t know about one of People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

1. AMAL ALAMUDDIN ISN’T HIS FIRST WIFE

Everyone thinks the brainy beauty is the first (and only) woman to have tamed the eligible bachelor’s heart, but prior to marrying Amal, George was once hitched to Talia Balsam way back in 1989. They were divorced by 1993.

2. HE STILL KEEPS THE FAITH

George Clooney was raised in a devout Catholic family. He even admitted to being an alter boy and going through Latin Masses during his childhood days. That was probably what kept him grounded in Hollywood as he still practices the faith till today.

3. HE SUFFERED FROM BELL’S PALSY AS A CHILD

Just when you think George Clooney has the perfect life, the actor shares that he suffered from Bell’s Palsy, a condition which paralyzes facial muscles. He was mocked and taunted as a child, but the experience shaped him into a stronger person.

4. HIS BIG BREAK WASN’T ON ER

George Clooney might have become a household name after ER but his big break wasn’t on the medical TV drama. Instead, it was his recurring role as Booker Brooks on comedy sitcom Roseanne that paved the way for bigger roles.

5. A PIG SAVED HIS LIFE

George Clooney owned a pet pig named Max the Star for 18 years, gifted to him by then-girlfriend Kelly Preston. Max was his constant companion at his Hollywood Hills home and even saved his life by by waking him up before the Northridge earthquake.

6. THE FIRST MAN ON THE COVER OF MEN’S VOGUE

George Clooney holds the honour of being the first man to be featured on the cover of the inaugural issue of Men’s Vogue.

7. HE IS AN AVID BEER DRINKER

The actor loves the beverage so much that he had a beer keg installed in his dressing room during the filming of Ocean’s Eleven. Additionally, he does voiceovers for Budweiser TV commercials. Perhaps he should have been the face of the beer brand instead of Nespresso?

8. HE LIVED IN A WALK-IN CLOSET

When he first moved from Kentucky to LA, George had nowhere to crash except a friend’s walk-in closet. His mansions in Hollywood and villa in Lake Como is testament to how far he’s come since his humble beginnings as a struggling actor.

9. HE WANTED TO BE A BASEBALL PLAYER

Believe it or not, George tried out for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977. Unfortunately (or fortunately) George didn’t make the team. We think he makes a better actor than a baseball player anyway!

10. HE BET ON HIS BACHELORHOOD

George Clooney famously took a bet with Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer at USD10,000 apiece that he would still not be hitched and childless when he turned 40 in 2001. He won the bet. Perhaps Nicole and Michelle should have waited 12 years later to take the bet.

Karen George