George and Amal Clooney are clearly devoted parents. This ultra-famous couple, who married in 2014, are mother and father to 7-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, and they go to great lengths to maintain their privacy from the glare of the spotlight.
But the 63-year-old “ER” actor revealed that having his two children growing up also influenced a change in his career trajectory.
In a GQ profile featuring his close friend and collaborator Brad Pitt, George spoke about his decision to step away from directing major Hollywood productions over the past decade to prioritize his acting career.
“Mainly because I’ve been directing for a year now and my kids are old enough now,” the Oscar-winner explained. “I’m not going to pull them out of school and have them running around.”
George continued, “Before, they used to come with me and we could all go together. But now it’s different. So from now on I’m going to focus on other things, like acting.”
The Ocean’s Eleven actor clearly would prefer to star in other creators’ productions rather than take on leading roles in big-budget blockbusters.
The father of two has a few projects in the pipeline, including a starring role in an untitled new film from Noah Baumbach and co-starring alongside Brad in the upcoming Apple TV+ movie “Wolves.”
The “Gravity” star is also set to make his Broadway debut next year in the stage adaptation of the 2005 film “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
During the conversation, George explained how fiercely protective he is of his children and the lengths he goes to to keep their identities secret: “I have a goal of trying to protect my children. I don’t want any pictures of them.”
© Backgrid“We’re dealing with very serious issues, very serious bad actors, so we don’t want to put photos of our children out there in the public eye. So we have to work really hard to protect their privacy, which as you can imagine is hard.”
George and Amal, 46, a human rights lawyer and law professor, spend a lot of time in Europe, which certainly helps with the privacy aspect.
The couple own a magnificent chateau set on vast land in Brignoles, Provence.
© Frederick J. BrownThey purchased the home in 2021 for an estimated $8.3 million and have been living quietly there ever since.
The Clooneys blend in well with the locals and can often be seen stopping off at local bakeries and restaurants in the idyllic, quiet town located in the south of France.
The couple also own a vast villa in Lario, on Lake Como in northern Italy, and a mansion in the quiet English countryside town of Sonning.
