Life lessons from George Clooney

Life
Lessons

from George Clooney

George Clooney in 2015's Tomorrowland.

Life Lessons

from George Clooney

Is there a man in Hollywood with as much style or charm as George Clooney? An effortlessly cool guy, he turned 56 this month and is about to be the father of twins. He's also an Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker, not to mention a knowledgable activist and philanthropist. Eternally curious, he's a man of many talents. The kind of guy who clearly knows how to go after what he wants but isn't afraid of owning up to mistakes. Who better to take some advice from?

"You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak."

"You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak."

"You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak."

I don't sleep much. Five to six, I'd say. You could argue that people, as they get older, sleep less—probably because they're afraid of dying at some point."

I don't sleep much. Five to six, I'd say. You could argue that people, as they get older, sleep less—probably because they're afraid of dying at some point."

I don't sleep much. Five to six, I'd say. You could argue that people, as they get older, sleep less—probably because they're afraid of dying at some point."

"I had to stop going to auditions thinking, 'Oh, I hope they like me.' I had to go in thinking I was the answer to their problem."

"I didn't put money in the stock market. To me that's like Vegas without the dancing girls—none of the fun, no gambling or dancing or drinking—and you don't get to participate. So I paid off my house in cash when I could. It's about having a foundation for when things go bad."

"For me, the definition of a patriot is someone who will constantly question government."

"My biggest fear is doing the same things 10 years from now. It's something you have to constantly ask yourself: What are you going to do next to make it a good, long full journey?"

"My life isn't focused on results. My life is really focused on the process of doing all the things I'm doing, from work to relationships to friendships to charitable work."

"I'm kind of comfortable with getting older because it's better than the other option, which is being dead. So I'll take getting older."

I think people in Italy live their lives better than we do. It's an older country, and they've learned to celebrate dinner and lunch, whereas we sort of eat as quickly as we can to get through it."

"Failures are infinitely more instructive than successes ... I watch Batman & Robin from time to time. It's the worst movie I ever made, and it's a good lesson in humility."

FYI

In 2013, Clooney along with Rande Gerber, founded the award-winning tequila, Casamigos.