Entertainment Weekly (Feb 12)

George Clooney
Age: 48
Role: Ryan Bingham, a high-flying corporate hatchet man who reevaluates his connection-free lifestyle after falling for a fellow traveler (Vera Farmiga).

Oscar History: Four previous nominations: two for acting, one for directing, one for writing. He’s won once: Best Supporting Actor for 2005’s Syriana.
He Always had it in him: Though Clooney’s turn in Up in the Air has several surprisingly emotional moments near the end, it’s the breezy feel of most of the performance that’s won praise from critics and audiences alike. “Laurance Olivier disappeared into roles and you never could recognize him,” Clooney says. “Then there was Spencer Tracy, and he was always sort of  … Spencer Tracy. I don’t know where I fit in. There’s always some element of me in there. So if it feels effortless, then I did my job.  I mean, I am a professional.  I know what I’m doing.
Up Next: He’ll star as a hitman completing one last assignment in Italy in The American (Out Sept 1), based on Martin Booth’s 2004 novel A Very Private Gentleman. — Dave Karger

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