George Clooney.
Yes, he's a heartthrob, but he's also a serious Darfur activist who knows what it's like to be different in high school. His latest movie, Michael Clayton, opens Oct. 12. George Clooney will now take your questions.
Do you think celebrity activism has become cliché? —David Barry, Armidale, Australia
You don't want to be a spokesperson unless you are absolutely committed to a cause because you can hurt it. I've been asked to help represent environmental groups. I'm a big proponent of cleaning up the environment. I have two electric cars. But I also have a big weak spot because I've flown on private jets. However, I welcome any of these dumb pundits who make celebrities out to be bad guys to a discussion about Darfur. Because I've been there and I've met all the players, and I guarantee you, the pundits haven't.
After all your advocacy work to help Darfur, why do you think the situation is not improving? —Antoinette Vermilye, Crans-près-céligny, Switzerland
[Sudanese President] Omar al-Bashir doesn't have any incentive to do anything else. We can't sanction Sudan because we don't do trade with it. And al-Bashir can frame any peace-keeping mission as a Western invasion of another Muslim country. So people like the Chinese, who do business with these guys, have to say, "We're not going to trade with you anymore. You guys are going to have to drink oil." That's what it's going to come down to.
You were vocal about the paparazzi after Princess Di's death. Who do you blame most for the current celebrity-news frenzy? —Stephanie Gilmore, Ocala, Ola.
I am the son of an anchorman. I am a First Amendment guy. In a statement after Diana's death, I said the only thing worse than out-of-control photographers with no sense of conscience would be trying to restrict them. You can't restrict freedom of speech or the press, even if it is miserable.
How did having Bell's palsy affect who you are today? —Spencer Navejar, Provo, Utah
Freshman year in high school is a bad time to have half your face paralyzed, but it helped me develop more of a personality. You have to make fun of yourself, or else you're going to have a really rough life.
Were you serious when you dissed the quality of the Ocean's Thirteen script? —Rina Echavez, Los Angeles
With the exception of The Godfather: Part II, first films like Ocean's Eleven are generally the best, and the sequels usually deteriorate until you end up with Jaws 5 or whatever. Twelve sort of fell apart, and we didn't want to go out like that. We wanted another crack at it. Thirteen was a lot better.
You once said Paul Newman is an example of the longevity few actors achieve. What does the future hold for you? —Ed Flood, Havertown, Pa.
Most actors don't get that kind of time in the spotlight, so the trick is to focus more on writing and directing. My hope is that as time goes on and people want to see less and less of me onscreen, which happens to everybody, I'll be able to direct.
Would you consider running for President one day? —Emeli Marcondes Scotts Valley, Calif.
No. As an advocate, I can take a side and stand by it and not have to worry about ticking off some constituents who helped get me elected. I don't want all those kinds of strings attached.
Did you make a bet with Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman that they would have to pay you $10,000 if you were still single when you turned 40? —Jeremy Salmon, Binghamton, N.Y.
Yes, I won that bet. They paid up. When Nicole sent me the check, I sent it back and said, "Send it to charity."
Given your recent accident, are your motorcycle days over? —Tayla Russell, Washington
No, I ride a motorcycle when I'm home in Los Angeles. It's my main mode of transportation. I've been riding for 30 years, and I've had three accidents, which isn't bad odds. I'll keep riding.
I was sorry to hear about the death of your beloved pet pig, Max. Will you get another? —Jackie Cole, Lafayette, Ind.
No, there is only going to be one pet pig in my life. [Laughs.] I have done the pig thing.
For more from Clooney and to subscribe to the 10 Questions podcast on iTunes, go to time.com/10questions. TIME's interview with the actor continues on the next page. Read the extra questions for George Clooney