Presidents and Celebrities: Barack Obama and George Clooney
George Clooney is a famous contemporary American actor and filmmaker who had won numerous awards for his craft. These include a British Academy Film Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards (one as an actor, the other as a producer). In 2018, he was the recipient of the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. He made his acting debut on television in 1978, and later became familiar to television audiences for his role as Dr. Doug Ross on the NBC medical drama ER. He starred in that role from 1994 to 1999, and received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for it. This led to a variety of leading roles in films. His biggest commercial success in films occurred in 2001 with a starring tole in the film remake Ocean's Eleven, which led to a trilogy. Clooney made his directorial debut a year later with the biographical spy comedy Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, followed by the historical drama Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). Clooney won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Middle East thriller Syriana (2005), and subsequently earned Best Actor nominations for the legal thriller Michael Clayton (2007) and the comedy-dramas Up in the Air (2009) and The Descendants (2011). In 2013, he received the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing the political thriller Argo.
Clooney was included on Time's Magazine's annual Time 100 list, which identifies the most influential people in the world, every year from 2006 to 2009. He had become known for his political and economic activism, and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace since January 31, 2008. Clooney is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is married to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney (née Alamuddin). Clooney is a supporter of the Democratic Party and this has led to a friendship with former President Barack Obama. Clooney supported both of Obama's presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, and he also endorsed Hillary Clinton for the 2016 presidential election, and Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential election. Clooney hosted a virtual fundraiser for Biden together with Obama on July 28, 2020.
Clooney has been involved with an organization known as the "Not On Our Watch Project." Its goal is to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities. In January 2010, he organized the telethon "Hope for Haiti Now" which collected donations for the 2010 Haiti earthquake victims.
One of Clooney's causes has been advocating for a resolution of the Darfur conflict. He spoke at a 2006 Save Darfur rally in Washington, D.C., and in April of that year he and his father visited Sudan where they filmed the TV special "A Journey to Darfur." The documentary was broadcast in the US, the UK and France. In 2008, it was released on DVD with the sale proceeds being donated to the International Rescue Committee. In September of 2006, Clooney spoke to the UN Security Council with Nobel Prize-winner Elie Wiesel to ask the UN to find a solution to the conflict and to help the people of Darfur. In December, he visited China and Egypt with other celebrities to lobby the governments of those nations to pressure Sudan's government to take remedial action. In March of the following year he wrote an open letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, calling on the European Union to take "decisive action" in the region, noting the failure of Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to respond to UN resolutions. In December 2007, Clooney and fellow actor Don Cheadle received the Summit Peace Award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Rome. On January 18, 2008, the United Nations announced Clooney's appointment as a UN messenger of peace. On March 16, 2012, Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy for civil disobedience. His arrest was deliberate, in order to draw attention to the cause.
In May 2015, Clooney told the BBC that he wanted to focus on helping the refugees from the Syrian crisis. In March 2016, he and his wife, Amal Clooney, met with Syrian refugees living in Berlin to mark the fifth anniversary of the conflict, before meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to thank her for Germany's open-door policy of accepting Syrian refugees.
In 2008, Clooney became one of Barack Obama's most enthusiastic backers in Obama's presidential campaign. Two years earlier in 2006, Clooney told a Los Angeles Times reporter, "If Senator Obama became Presidential Candidate Obama, it would be the most electrifying thing to happen to the Democratic party since Kennedy." The two met in April of 2006 at an event to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., following Clooney's return from the region. Obama was complimentary about Clooney, telling the media, "There are some celebrities who have really done their homework and know what they are talking about and are terrific advocates for justice and peace and opportunity around the world. I want all citizens to get involved. Whether they are the secretary in an office building or a movie star, I think the more engaged and interested people are, the better off we all are."
In that campaign Obama was able to attract support from a number of celebrities, including Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Will Smith, Tyra Banks and Jamie Foxx. Clooney explained his attraction to Obama in a 2007 interview with the Los Angeles Times, recounting that "We were at a rally on Darfur. People were standing around backstage. All of a sudden, Obama walks out and steps onto the stage. Everyone stopped to hear what he had to say. I've never been around anyone who can literally take someone's breath away." Obama appeared in Sand and Sorrow, a 2007 documentary about the crisis narrated and produced by Clooney. Clooney not only contributed financially to Obama's campaign, but also lobbied others to support the candidate. In response to those who thought the Illinois Senator to be too inexperienced, Clooney said: "He fascinates me. People say, 'Oh, he's too young,' you know. But you cannot learn or teach leadership. You either have it or you don't. Everyone says the country isn't ready for a black president. I think that's ridiculous. Is he going to lose Illinois? Is he going to lose New York or California because he's black? No. And maybe he makes some inroads into other places, and maybe, for once, he could get young people to show up and vote."
At the same time, Clooney did not want to appear too close to Obama in order to spare him the accusation that he was too cozy with the Hollywood elite and therefore out of touch with mainstream America. Clooney said, "I told him I would do anything for him, including staying completely away from him." Clooney's instincts were correct, as a TV ad aired in July 2008 that interspersed pictures of Obama with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton while a voice intoned, "He's the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?"
Clooney hosted a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser for Obama at a private home in Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2008. Obama wasn't in attendance. Clooney was elated when his candidate was elected the 44th president of the United States on Nov. 4, 2008.
A month into the Obama Presidency, in February 2009, Clooney made his first of several trips to the White House to discuss Darfur. He returned to discuss Darfur with Obama in 2010 and 2012. Clooney also received an to attend a state dinner in 2012 in honor of visiting UK Prime Minister David Camera. Clooney was seated next to Michelle Obama at the dinner. Later that year, when Obama visited LA, he joined in a morning basketball game with Don Cheadle, Tobey McGuire, Clooney and others. This was followed by a $40,000-a-plate dinner for 150 Obama supporters at Clooney's house in Studio City on May 10 that raised $15 million.
Clooney came to the President's defense in 2012 when left-wing critics who were disillusioned by campaign vows left unfulfilled attacked the President for his failures. Clooney told ABC News, "I'm disillusioned by the people who are disillusioned by Obama. I'm a firm believer in sticking by and sticking up for the people whom you've elected." Clooney narrated a video at the 2012 Democratic National Convention that preceded Obama's convention speech.
At the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2014, emcee Joel McHale joked that "Every year, the White House doctor checks the president's colon for polyps and George Clooney's head." It was that weekend that Clooney married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in Venice. The Obama's did not attend, the the actor's spouse was a welcome addition to the Obama's social circle. Amal Clooney is an internationally renowned human rights attorney who was no stranger to the UN General Assembly.
Obamas left the White House in January 2017. The following June Obama visited the Clooneys' estate in the English village of Sonning. In 2020, the two families visited at Lake Como, Italy, and shared a boat ride across the lake. Obama described Clooney to reporters as "a good man, and a good friend." In 2020 the two participated in a “virtual conversation” fundraiser for Joe Biden, with tickets ranging from $250 to $250,000. Obama and Clooney appeared via Zoom at their own homes, making the case for voting for Biden. There also were humorous moments, such as when Obama’s remarks were interrupted by dog barking, and Clooney muting himself. Clooney quipped that his dogs “must be Tea Party members because every time you started talking about Obamacare” they would start barking.
Clooney was included on Time's Magazine's annual Time 100 list, which identifies the most influential people in the world, every year from 2006 to 2009. He had become known for his political and economic activism, and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace since January 31, 2008. Clooney is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is married to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney (née Alamuddin). Clooney is a supporter of the Democratic Party and this has led to a friendship with former President Barack Obama. Clooney supported both of Obama's presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, and he also endorsed Hillary Clinton for the 2016 presidential election, and Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential election. Clooney hosted a virtual fundraiser for Biden together with Obama on July 28, 2020.
Clooney has been involved with an organization known as the "Not On Our Watch Project." Its goal is to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities. In January 2010, he organized the telethon "Hope for Haiti Now" which collected donations for the 2010 Haiti earthquake victims.
One of Clooney's causes has been advocating for a resolution of the Darfur conflict. He spoke at a 2006 Save Darfur rally in Washington, D.C., and in April of that year he and his father visited Sudan where they filmed the TV special "A Journey to Darfur." The documentary was broadcast in the US, the UK and France. In 2008, it was released on DVD with the sale proceeds being donated to the International Rescue Committee. In September of 2006, Clooney spoke to the UN Security Council with Nobel Prize-winner Elie Wiesel to ask the UN to find a solution to the conflict and to help the people of Darfur. In December, he visited China and Egypt with other celebrities to lobby the governments of those nations to pressure Sudan's government to take remedial action. In March of the following year he wrote an open letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, calling on the European Union to take "decisive action" in the region, noting the failure of Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to respond to UN resolutions. In December 2007, Clooney and fellow actor Don Cheadle received the Summit Peace Award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Rome. On January 18, 2008, the United Nations announced Clooney's appointment as a UN messenger of peace. On March 16, 2012, Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy for civil disobedience. His arrest was deliberate, in order to draw attention to the cause.
In May 2015, Clooney told the BBC that he wanted to focus on helping the refugees from the Syrian crisis. In March 2016, he and his wife, Amal Clooney, met with Syrian refugees living in Berlin to mark the fifth anniversary of the conflict, before meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to thank her for Germany's open-door policy of accepting Syrian refugees.
In 2008, Clooney became one of Barack Obama's most enthusiastic backers in Obama's presidential campaign. Two years earlier in 2006, Clooney told a Los Angeles Times reporter, "If Senator Obama became Presidential Candidate Obama, it would be the most electrifying thing to happen to the Democratic party since Kennedy." The two met in April of 2006 at an event to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., following Clooney's return from the region. Obama was complimentary about Clooney, telling the media, "There are some celebrities who have really done their homework and know what they are talking about and are terrific advocates for justice and peace and opportunity around the world. I want all citizens to get involved. Whether they are the secretary in an office building or a movie star, I think the more engaged and interested people are, the better off we all are."
In that campaign Obama was able to attract support from a number of celebrities, including Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Will Smith, Tyra Banks and Jamie Foxx. Clooney explained his attraction to Obama in a 2007 interview with the Los Angeles Times, recounting that "We were at a rally on Darfur. People were standing around backstage. All of a sudden, Obama walks out and steps onto the stage. Everyone stopped to hear what he had to say. I've never been around anyone who can literally take someone's breath away." Obama appeared in Sand and Sorrow, a 2007 documentary about the crisis narrated and produced by Clooney. Clooney not only contributed financially to Obama's campaign, but also lobbied others to support the candidate. In response to those who thought the Illinois Senator to be too inexperienced, Clooney said: "He fascinates me. People say, 'Oh, he's too young,' you know. But you cannot learn or teach leadership. You either have it or you don't. Everyone says the country isn't ready for a black president. I think that's ridiculous. Is he going to lose Illinois? Is he going to lose New York or California because he's black? No. And maybe he makes some inroads into other places, and maybe, for once, he could get young people to show up and vote."
At the same time, Clooney did not want to appear too close to Obama in order to spare him the accusation that he was too cozy with the Hollywood elite and therefore out of touch with mainstream America. Clooney said, "I told him I would do anything for him, including staying completely away from him." Clooney's instincts were correct, as a TV ad aired in July 2008 that interspersed pictures of Obama with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton while a voice intoned, "He's the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?"
Clooney hosted a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser for Obama at a private home in Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2008. Obama wasn't in attendance. Clooney was elated when his candidate was elected the 44th president of the United States on Nov. 4, 2008.
A month into the Obama Presidency, in February 2009, Clooney made his first of several trips to the White House to discuss Darfur. He returned to discuss Darfur with Obama in 2010 and 2012. Clooney also received an to attend a state dinner in 2012 in honor of visiting UK Prime Minister David Camera. Clooney was seated next to Michelle Obama at the dinner. Later that year, when Obama visited LA, he joined in a morning basketball game with Don Cheadle, Tobey McGuire, Clooney and others. This was followed by a $40,000-a-plate dinner for 150 Obama supporters at Clooney's house in Studio City on May 10 that raised $15 million.
Clooney came to the President's defense in 2012 when left-wing critics who were disillusioned by campaign vows left unfulfilled attacked the President for his failures. Clooney told ABC News, "I'm disillusioned by the people who are disillusioned by Obama. I'm a firm believer in sticking by and sticking up for the people whom you've elected." Clooney narrated a video at the 2012 Democratic National Convention that preceded Obama's convention speech.
At the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2014, emcee Joel McHale joked that "Every year, the White House doctor checks the president's colon for polyps and George Clooney's head." It was that weekend that Clooney married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in Venice. The Obama's did not attend, the the actor's spouse was a welcome addition to the Obama's social circle. Amal Clooney is an internationally renowned human rights attorney who was no stranger to the UN General Assembly.
Obamas left the White House in January 2017. The following June Obama visited the Clooneys' estate in the English village of Sonning. In 2020, the two families visited at Lake Como, Italy, and shared a boat ride across the lake. Obama described Clooney to reporters as "a good man, and a good friend." In 2020 the two participated in a “virtual conversation” fundraiser for Joe Biden, with tickets ranging from $250 to $250,000. Obama and Clooney appeared via Zoom at their own homes, making the case for voting for Biden. There also were humorous moments, such as when Obama’s remarks were interrupted by dog barking, and Clooney muting himself. Clooney quipped that his dogs “must be Tea Party members because every time you started talking about Obamacare” they would start barking.