I could go on and on and on about George Clooney, how he is an Oscar winning actor and producer, director, screenwriter, businessman, humanitarian and the Sexiest Man Alive. He’s also Batman, which is like the ultimate thing already. But that is a discussion best left for when we’ve got loads of time on our hands!
On Thursday, George Clooney, 57, became the recipient of the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Lifetime Achievement Award!
The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, in Los Angeles and witnessed a number of Hollywood’s best in attendance.
From former POTUS Barack Obama to Clooney’s co-stars like Anna Kendrick and Cate Blanchett, everyone had some interesting things to say about Clooney.
They spoke about George Clooney’s illustrious film career, his humanitarian work, his excellent pranks and a lot more!
Pre-recorded video speeches by Clooney’s Oceans Eleven co-star Julia Roberts and Barack Obama were played.
A former President speaking for an honouree was a first, and of course, Obama made it good!
Ok this was major: @BarackObama opened #GeorgeClooneyAFI via video remarks, jokes about Clooney’s good looks, jump shot. pic.twitter.com/wRwmQGtDEK
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) June 8, 2018
Previous AFI honouree Diana Keaton found the best way to talk about George Clooney: by read five interesting facts about him from his Wikipedia page!
Did you know Clooney had a pet pig for 18 years? Thanks, Diane!
Jimmy Kimmel was there too, to talk about the insanely good prankster that George Clooney is!
Kimmel: “we’ve gone all these years thinking George is Batman. Turns out he’s the Joker.” pic.twitter.com/sD1zI0FLrF
— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) June 8, 2018
My personal favourite had to be Clooney’s ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S’ co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox taking full credit for his appearance on their show driving fans to watch Clooney’s show ER, where he played the lead!
“Without us you’re ‘Chicago Hope,’ buddy. You’re welcome!”
Talking about ER, Clooney’s co-star from the show, Julianna Margulies was there too, of course, to talk about how she owed her entire career to Clooney.
She got rather teary-eyed talking about it. Although the mood did lighten up when she told the crowd how Clooney was a good kisser and Amal Clooney just nodded in agreement!
I can confirm that when Julianna Margulies said that yes, George is a good kisser, Amal Clooney shook her head yes in agreement. 💋 #GeorgeClooneyAFI pic.twitter.com/qZL9KCLUOe
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) June 8, 2018
However, the most touching moment of the evening was when wife Amal Clooney took the stage for to speak about her husband in public for the first time! And boy, she managed to move him to tears!
She wanted to talk about George Clooney the husband, the gentleman, the humanitarian.
“There are a few things you might not know about George. First, he is a gentleman. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word and in a way that seems so rare these day and perhaps even outdated.”
Love Amal Clooney’s speech about George, she reveals he invited 13 closest friends to dinner and gave them $1 million each. Also visited elderly woman in nursing home to make her day, still prankster using nappy and @NutellaUSA #GeorgeClooneyAFI pic.twitter.com/PCWWWHany4
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) June 8, 2018
” I am told I would display a particular grin and head tilt when reading his text messages or the letters that he would hide in my bag. Five years later none of that has changed. He is the person who has my complete admiration and also the person whose smile makes me melt every time.”
She even spoke about George as a father to their twins, Ella and Alexander, who turned a year old almost to the day!
“My love, what I have found with you is the great love that I always hoped existed and seeing you with our children Ella and Alexander is the greatest joy in my life. You fill our home with laughter and happiness and that is even before the children have worked out that dada is actually Batman, a talking fox and friends with Mary Poppins.”
More Amal on George, “the person who has my complete admiration…whose smile makes me melt every time. My love, what I have found with you is great love I always hoped existed. And seeing you with our children, Ella and Alexander, is greatest joy in my life." #GeorgeClooneyAFI pic.twitter.com/8IwEHq84AT
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) June 8, 2018
The speech sure made a few other people cry too!
Oh my god. Amal Clooney’s speech just made George cry, and also like half my table. Don’t worry I have video #AFILife
— Andrea Mandell (@AndreaMandell) June 8, 2018
I agree!
Watching George Clooney’s eyes fill with tears while he watches Amal talk about him is a lovely way to spend an evening. #GeorgeClooneyAFI
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) June 8, 2018
And we couldn’t agree more!
Leaving #GeorgeClooneyAFI, which I covered from backstage for a story that will run closer to airdate. As I left, George was thanking the catering crew and huddling with Amal and his parents, beaming. “Oh my golly!” said his father. “You did a wonderful job,” his mom said to Amal
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) June 8, 2018
Congratulations to George Clooney! You deserve nothing less!