Hollywood legend George Clooney has opened up about embracing a new phase in his acting career, admitting that his days as a romantic leading man are now behind him. The 64-year-old star, known for his iconic chemistry with actresses like Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones, says age has naturally shifted the roles he chooses — and he is ready for that change.
Speaking to Daily Mail columnist Richard Eden, Clooney revealed he is following the graceful transition once made by screen legend Paul Newman. “I’ve been trying to go the route Paul Newman did: ‘OK, well, I’m not kissing a girl any more,’” he said, acknowledging that romance-heavy roles are no longer a fit for him.
Clooney, who married human rights lawyer Amal Clooney in 2014, is now focused on family life with their eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander. Reflecting on aging, he shared a candid conversation he once had with his wife: “When I turned 60, I said, ‘I can still play basketball with the boys — even with 25-year-olds. But in 25 years, I’ll be 85. It doesn’t matter how many granola bars you eat, that’s a real number.’”
Earlier this month, Clooney also spoke about fatherhood, saying he intentionally had children later in life so he could dedicate more meaningful time to them.
As Clooney steps away from on-screen romance, he appears fully content embracing the roles — both personal and professional — that define this stage of his life.