George Clooney draws a clear line when it comes to on-screen romance, and it’s one he says comes with age, perspective and an honest conversation at home.
The Oscar-winning actor has revealed that he no longer plans to film romantic scenes, especially those involving on-screen kisses, as he moves further into his 60s.
In a recent interview with Daily MailClooney explained that the decision followed a discussion with his wife, Amal Clooney, about aging and what still feels right for him as an actor.
“I’ve tried to go the way Paul Newman did — ‘Okay, well, I’m not kissing a girl anymore,'” Clooney said.
The actor expanded on that moment, reflecting on how age changes priorities, even for someone who has remained active and healthy.
“When I turned 60, I had a conversation with my wife. I said, ‘Look, I can still play basketball with the boys. I play with 25 year old guys. I can still hang, I’m fit. But in 25 years I will be 85 years old. It doesn’t matter how many granola bars you eat, that’s a real number.”
For decades, Clooney built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most reliable romantic leads.
His filmography includes fan-favorite love stories such as A beautiful day, Out of sight, Up in the airand Ticket to paradise.
However, he has signaled a shift away from that image for some time.
In March, Clooney told 60 minutes that he had retired from romantic movies altogether, saying, “Look, I’m 63 years old. I’m not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. That’s not my job. I don’t do romantic movies anymore.”
Looking back on his early career, Clooney has also spoken candidly about his comfort with on-camera intimacy.
In an interview from 2022 with New York Timeshe recalled being corrected by a director during a kissing scene.
“I remember early in my career I had to do a kissing scene with this girl and the director goes, ‘Not like that.’ And I was like, ‘Dude, that’s my move! That’s what I do in real life!'”
Now Clooney seems comfortable turning the page, choosing roles that better reflect where he is in life and leaving on-screen romance to a new generation.
