The Heat Interview: George Clooney

“Renee is delicate and vulnerable and I always feel like protecting her. I adore her”

George Clooney is a major movie star and lusted after by women the world over. But what’s really going on between him and Renee Zellweger? And is he a Casanova in real life? A lucky Jo Carnegie gets to meet him and find out.

It’s the ultimate fantasy: a hot date on Valentine’s Day with the world’s most eligible bachelor, George Clooney. You’re alone in his sumptuous hotel room. As you sit opposite each other, he looks into your eyes and…

Well, pinch yourselves ladies, because this isn’t a daydream. It is the most romantic day of the year and Heat is about to meet the 41-year old movie star at luxury hotel, Claridge’s. George is in London promoting his latest films – Solaris, an arty romance set in space, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, a dark comedy George directed and starred in. And I’ve been invited along to meet the man himself.

As it’s Valentine’s Day, I decide to try my luck and arrive with 12 red roses. We’re also hoping the flowers will soften George up – Hollywood stars are notoriously cagey when talking about their private lives. And George seems to have one hell of a personal life – he’s been linked to a host of women, including, Julia Roberts, Parisian waitress Celine Balitran, porn star Krista Allen, Mariella Frostrup, Lisa Snowdon and, most recently, Renee Zellweger.

As I wait in his suite, the door at the end of the corridor suddenly opens. The deep, gravelly tones of his instantly recognisable voice drift towards us. And then George is there, standing in the doorway.

He’s gorgeous. Dressed casually in a blue jumper and jeans, his eyes are drooping endearingly due to a nasty chest and throat infection. But despite his illness, warmth oozes from his eyes, his voice and his handshake. Encouraged, we give him the flowers and a card.

“To George”, he reads out in a slow, deliberate manner. “Be my Valentine?” He looks at us with a cheeky grin. “Now I feel bad because I haven’t bought you anything”.

Never mind that, what about answering the question in our card? But we’ve still got plenty of time together…

Apart from ours, have you had any more flowers today?

[Pulls mock sad expression] I didn’t get any other flowers. I’m a little hurt.

Not even any cards?

No cards.

Have you sent any flowers or cards?

[Thinks for a moment] Maybe that’s the reason I didn’t get any.

Maybe you need to start sending them out if you want to get any back.

See, I didn’t think of that. Now I’ve learned something about what I’ve been doing wrong. But I have been living on the road. It’s not all my fault.

What would be your ideal Valentine’s date?

I don’t know. Where’s a good romantic place to go?

How about a nice restaurant?

Yeah. Somewhere dark with candles and a good band. It seems a nice thing to do, doesn’t it?

It sounds very nice.

And you have to find a good spot. That’s the secret. But you have to plan it out. You can’t just ring and make a reservation on Valentine’s Day because you’re going to get screwed.

Think ahead, like with the cards. Now you’re learning

I’m with you now. I get it. You know what I’m going to do right now? I’m going to start sending cards out for next year. Just shoot them out. In all different directions. Until they stick. Thanks for the tips.

Well, I’ve got your best interests at heart, George. I don’t want to think of you sitting here all alone.

I know that. But you haven’t sent out Valentine’s cards either, have you?

That’s because I gave flowers to you. You’re a lucky man, you know – I don’t just give out flowers to anyone.

But you didn’t see the flowers I got you [George gestures towards a bunch of flowers sitting on a shelf behind me. They are the hotel's flowers] And you can have the vase they’re in. The lovely vase. And the clock [Chuckles] Take it all with you.

Thanks. You’ve got a reputation for being quite a charmer. Are you?

[Smiles] Well, you’ve seen it. I’m not all that charming. I don’t think I’m a charmer. I used to be much more charming. I’ve lost my edge.

A recent survey said you you’re the man British women would most like to have a Valentine’s date with.

Are you kidding me? [Grins] Boy, the standards have really dropped. [Laughs] That’s a weird thing, isn’t it? You know now, when you see me close up, I’m old and grey.

Oh stop it. You’re not old and grey…

I’m feeling really old and grey today. I’m feeling beat up.

It’s just because you’re not feeling very well.

Yeah, I’m closed up with Night Nurse, man. What is that shit? It’s really strong stuff. I’ve been walking into walls.

Do you find women throw themselves at you?

Not really. Actually, it’s a really funny thing.

Why?

They have this image but as soon as they get up next to me, the reality of me and what they thought of me is very different.

How?

I’m usually greyer.

You’re not that grey. Do you dye your hair?

[Looks horrified] I do not dye my hair! The only advantage we guys have is that we can get wrinkles and our hair turns white and everyone still thinks it looks OK.

Didn’t one woman throw herself under your car in Rome though?

Oh yeah.

What happened?

It was a weird thing. Every once in a while people react very strangely. Especially in a crowd. There was a sort of frenzy and she got a bit crazy.

Your fans are going to get into a bigger frenzy when they get to see Solaris. You get you bum out, don’t you?

I do. Well, the funny thing is…have you seen the film?

I have – and it’s a very fine bum, George.

Ye-ah… [He doesn't sound convinced] Well, someone once said I was too old to be doing [scenes like] that.

Really? Were you doing butt clenches in the mirror the night before?

No. [Smiles] In general, the more beat up it is, the better.

Your other film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, is about a trash-pot TV host. You’ve got strong views about TV, haven’t you?

Sure. I don’t like entertainment at the expense of other people. It’s like American Idol. It’s gotten to the point where they just want to laugh at the ones who aren’t talented.

We take it you’re talking about Simon Cowell…

He’s the perfect example. He’s not helping them; he’s doing it to show how interesting he can be. All he’s trying to do is get laid.

At least he’s quite open about it.

He is. And I’m like, “If that’s your best way of getting laid!” Good luck to him. Guys like that don’t last very long.

Let’s get on to your love life instead. You’ve been linked with lots of women, haven’t you?

[Wry smile] Right.

So, let’s run through who you have and haven’t dated…

OK…

Julia Roberts

[Chuckles] No! She’s just a friend.

Lucy Liu?

Lucy and I went out on a date. Lucy and I did ER together and we went out very briefly. She’s just a great close friend now. She literally lives in the house next door to me. I can throw rocks at her.

You were also linked to actress Krista Allen, who has been in soft-porn films.

Krista Allen and I did a television series together years ago. At that point I hadn’t developed a taste for porn. [Cheeky grin] She was going out with Charlie Sheen then. She and I were just friends. But that’s all.

And the most one is Renee…

I know, Renee.

Well?

Renee is like one of my closest friends. I talk to her twice a week. But we’re not going out, we’re not dating each other. I write her letters and we talk about politics, life, work. She’s great. She’s delicate and vulnerable and I always feel like protecting her. I adore her.

But there’s nothing romantic going on?

Nothing at all.

You were also linked in 2001. Were you together then?

Yeah, we dated for a while.

Why did it end?

I don’t know. We were working in two different hemispheres at the same time and we said, “This isn’t really getting started.” The thing about it was that we really liked and cared about each other and it was important to hang on to each other. We check in with each other all the time.

She seems lovely…

She, she…[Thinks] To be as famous as she is, she comes in and she’s an open book. You know, honest and sweet and forthcoming. All these things you can’t believe she is, she is.

You talk about her in such glowing terms. Are you sure you won’t get back together?

I don’t think so. We’re such good friends now. I have such a good relationship with Renee. [Smiles] Why spoil it?

So are you single at the moment?

Yes.

You go out with normal girls as well. Do you worry about them selling stories on you?

Sure. They have. But you can’t go into things thinking like that. You just have to hope you judgement is good.

All these women you’re linked with – are they mostly friends?

It depends. Sometimes I’m going out with them but most of the time they’re just friends. I mean, if someone were to see us sitting here, we’re linked [heat almost keels over at this point]. And that’s the simple truth of it. If you’re not married – and I once was [George married actress Talia Balsam in 1989] – and you’re a single guy, you’re linked with people.

You’re not doing much for you womanising reputation. Does it annoy you that people view you in that way?

You know, I’m going to stop trying to correct all the things people say about me that don’t make sense, because I’d spend all my days and nights trying to do it. What else can you do?

Do you ever want to get married again?

I don’t know.

But don’t you worry about getting lonely?

I’ve probably been lonelier in bad relationships than I have by myself.

Back to my original question. It’s Valentine’s Day and I’ve got no plans. What are you up to later?

I’m actually going out with my friends and assistant for dinner.

Shame. You know, I can’t think why you haven’t got a girlfriend.

[Eyes twinkling] Well, things kinda go up and down.

If things get too bad, I don’t mind going out with you.

OK, Jo. [Smiles] Thank you Jo. That’s very nice…

There’s a pause. George looks across the table and for a second, I find myself gazing into his eyes. It all gets a bit much. Professionalism thrown to the wind, I blush beetroot. George carries on smiling, amused by the effect he’s having. “How you doing there?” he asks. “You hanging in there?” The PR comes in and signals the end of the interview. I manage to regain my composure and George shakes our hand. “Thank you so much for the flowers, it was very nice to meet you”, he says. “Now I must go and blow my nose”.

That’s George in a nutshell. He might be one of the sexiest film stars on the planet but he’s also one of the most down-to-earth. It’s an irresistible combination – and one of those rare occasions when the reality actually turns out to be better than the fantasy. Sigh…