George Clooney.
(2 of 2)
You spent many years as a struggling actor. What was that time like for you? —Lars Taner, London
I get a little too much credit for that struggling actor thing. It wasn't like I was waiting tables for 15 years. There were only about three years of true struggle. When I moved to Los Angeles, I was doing construction work and other odd jobs to make some cash, and I rode a bicycle to auditions that were 15 or 20 miles away. But from that point on, I was making a living. If you are making a living at all as an actor, you are beating the odds—even though I was doing some really bad television.
Did you think ER would be such a hit when you took the part of Dr. Doug Ross? Any chance of a cameo? —Dawn Carpenter, Philadelphia
I knew it was a really good show. Initially, we were picked up for Friday at 10:00. But when I found out we got picked up for Thursday night, I looked over at my buddy and said, 'I think my career just got made.' Then we beat out Chicago Hope, which wasn't supposed to happen. The minute that happened, I knew things would be different. But no, I am not coming back. I think it would be a distraction. I did come back once to pick up Julianna [Margulies] from the show, but I wouldn't do it again.
What presidential candidate are you rooting for? —Sloan Mills, Leitchfield, Ky.
Barack Obama. He is a friend and I have fundraised for him.
As a man from the Middle East, I was glad to see that Syriana and Three Kings did not stereotype Arabs as aggressors. Do you think the U.S. is involved in the Middle East only to protect its own self-interest? —Ahmed Abbas, Cairo
Most countries are involved in almost everything they do only to protect their own self-interests. It would be naïve to think that anyone is doing anything out of the goodness of their heart.
If you could become one of your characters in real life, who would it be? —Ryan Fleming, Batavia, N.Y.
I have played such idiots over the years. Probably, Danny Ocean. He married Julia Roberts, he has done very well and has great friends.
Congrats on being named People's Sexiest Man Alive, twice! Who should win this year? —Bernadette Cerruto, Fairfeld, N.J.
We have been campaigning for Matt Damon. With the success of the Bourne movie and Ocean's 13, we think this might be his year. We are hoping that he finally gets it before he is too old. [Laughs.] There are an awful lot of sexiest men out there. But to me, it's always going to be Brad Pitt.
Who would win in a fight: Jason Bourne or Danny Ocean's crew? —Dan Morris, Concord, N.H.
Jason Bourne, unfortunately. He would win against all of them. But Batman [who Clooney played in 1997] would kick his ass.