# Did George Clooney Just Become a Hollywood Legend? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2006, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456 "2006-03-08T00:45:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/41 "2006-03-08T16:50:46Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > He’s been called the Frank Sinatra of his generation (sure he remade Ocean’s 11, but let’s not get carried away!) Hell, they needed someone else to sing for him in _O Brother_! ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/42 "2006-03-08T16:56:43Z")
He got compared to Sinatra because of Ocean’s 11. Not because of the singing. I think the comparison is off base. Clooney is cool, but no one is as cool as Frank. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/43 "2006-03-08T17:01:54Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > He got compared to Sinatra because of Ocean’s 11. Not because of the singing. Whereas Sinatra could do both, thus making the comparison even more inappropriate. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/44 "2006-03-08T17:26:12Z")
Gwyneth Paltrow would make a great Tracy Lord. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/45 "2006-03-08T18:00:03Z")
For anyone looking for a video of Clooney’s speech, here it is on [YouTube.com](http://YouTube.com): [http://elfurl.com/visit.php?id=187i](http://elfurl.com/visit.php?id=187i) ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/46 "2006-03-08T18:42:22Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > I think the best comparison so far would be **Mel Gibson**. They have a similar temperament - they can be serious, but are funny guys. They mix action movies with serious films. Gibson has credits as Actor, Director, Producer, and Writer. Let us not forget the fuckability factor that both these men possess. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/47 "2006-03-08T20:06:53Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > I think _Out of Sight_ will settle into being Clooney’s signature role. It’s a flawless, endlessly rewatchable movie, and the best charming-rogue character since Gable’s early days. I hope Clooney’s growing stature will send more people back to watch that movie. It’s my favorite Clooney; my favorite Lopez; my favorite Don Cheadle; my favorite Steve Zahn; my favorite Elmore Leonard; my favorite Soderbergh. Since we talked about this movie last night at trivia, I’ve been itching for an opportunity to watch it again. And of course, like you, looking for excuses to mention it in as many threads as possible. Truly a great, great film. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/48 "2006-03-08T20:08:02Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Whereas Sinatra could do both, thus making the comparison even more inappropriate. 😉 Comparisons to Sinatra are unfair to the target of comparison. It’s like calling someone the “Next Michael Jordan.” Frank and MJ are in league’s of their own. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/49 "2006-03-08T20:12:14Z")
BTW: He and Steven Soderbergh are planning an [Ocean’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean%27s_Thirteen) [Thirteen](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0496806/). I would bet it gets made. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/50 "2006-03-08T20:26:54Z")
> [@AmericanMaid](#): > > Ooh all these comparisons to Old Hollywood got my imagination whirling! Imagine a remake of “The Philadelphia Story” with Clooney as CK Dexter Haven and Tom Hanks as Macaulay Connor. Who could be Tracy Lord? Hanks is too old for the job, unfortunately. I’d cast Ed Norton instead. Naomi Watts would make a good Tracy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/51 "2006-03-08T21:08:39Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > … in which case I’d submit [Confessions of a Dangerous Mind](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290538/), which is IMO a sensational debut for a director. Word. Totally underrated movie thanks to his direction and Sam Rockwell’s performance. The montage to the horrid Elvis impersonator is better than ten Super Bowls. (and Clooney _is_ a good singer, he just doesn’t like to show it off) ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/52 "2006-03-08T21:38:16Z")
Yeah I remember hearing that his singing was planned to be in O Brother, but they decided to dub him instead. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/53 "2006-03-08T21:46:12Z")
> [@drm](#): > > The thing I like most about George Clooney is the simple fact that he doesn’t forget that he was in Batman and Robin. A lot of serious actors wouldn’t bring that up in interviews I don’t think but I’ve heard him mention it on a number of occasions. I always thought that was pretty cool of him. Batman and Robin actually turned into a pretty good move for him because since then he’s been really careful of the roles he’s picked. I like the guy, I really do. But every single interview I’ve ever seen with him, he’s mentioned Batman and winning Sexiest Man in 199-whateveritwas, and “pretty boy Pitt” taking the title from him, etc, etc. He comes across as intelligent, witty, funny, etc. But his off the cuff personal anecdotes are all carefully rehearsed sound bytes which turn me off a bit. I bet he is a great guy who values his personal life and doesn’t really want to share it with us. Good on him. But I get a little turned off by his carefully rehearsed way of constantly letting us know, over and over again, how deep down a great guy he is when in fact, I don’t think I really know anything about him at all. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/54 "2006-03-08T21:53:49Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > … in which case I’d submit [Confessions of a Dangerous Mind](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290538/), which is IMO a sensational debut for a director. It’s a beautifully shot movie, but perhaps a little too weird to be equivalent to _North by Northwest_ or _Casablanca_. It was rumored that Soderbergh ‘helped’ a lot with the direction, which might take away the singularness somewhat. Anyway, I did like it, and I’d like to watch it again. Clooney’s last scene in that one is a marvel. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/55 "2006-03-09T12:28:38Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > I think Clooney is more famous for people a likeable playboy than his body of work. > > Because, before this year, it wasn’t that impressive. Like many here, I beg to differ also. Sure, he had his share of clunkers and forgettables, but he also had, as many have mentioned, **Out of Sight Three Kings O Brother, Where Art Thou? Fail Safe South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut The Thin Red Line** I know they’re disliked or disregarded by some, but I absolutely loved **Solaris** and **Intolerable Cruelty**. The Oceans films are fun, fluffy eye candy, and I thought he did a good job in **The Perfect Storm**. He deserves much credit for directing **Confessions of a Dangerous Mind** (which I see he is getting) I see he also Executive Produced **Fail Safe, Insomnia** (the Christopher Nolan film with Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, and Robin Williams) and **Far From Heaven**. He’s been around, paying his dues since 1984. He’s finally where he wants to be and good for him. I can’t wait for his next movie, Steven Soderbergh’s **The Good German** , starring with Cate Blanchett and Tobey Maguire. If he’s not a Hollywood Legend yet, he’s well on his way. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/56 "2006-03-09T14:13:38Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Like many here, I beg to differ also. Sure, he had his share of clunkers and forgettables, but he also had, as many have mentioned, > > **Out of Sight > Three Kings > O Brother, Where Art Thou? > Fail Safe > South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut > The Thin Red Line** > > I know they’re disliked or disregarded by some, but I absolutely loved **Solaris** and **Intolerable Cruelty**. The Oceans films are fun, fluffy eye candy, and I thought he did a good job in **The Perfect Storm**. > > He deserves much credit for directing **Confessions of a Dangerous Mind** (which I see he is getting) > > I see he also Executive Produced **Fail Safe, Insomnia** (the Christopher Nolan film with Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, and Robin Williams) and **Far From Heaven**. > > He’s been around, paying his dues since 1984. He’s finally where he wants to be and good for him. > > I can’t wait for his next movie, Steven Soderbergh’s **The Good German** , starring with Cate Blanchett and Tobey Maguire. > > If he’s not a Hollywood Legend yet, he’s well on his way. I didn’t mean to belittle his work. I find most of those films enjoyable. But there wasn’t a Godfather or Vertigo in there. Someone else summed it up better than me later in the thread. He doesn’t have any universally and commercially praised “GREAT” works. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/57 "2006-03-09T14:35:16Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > That is a good stumper. Kate Winslet might be able to pull it off. (Even though I am not a big fan of hers). No one else is coming to mind. > You need an excellent actress who can be believable as an American aristocrat. > Whoever got picked should be in her late 20’s to early 30’s. Good looking but not model good looking. Winslet could probably pull it off. > > Jim Scarlett Johanssen could do it except her age is a tad too young. Zooey Deschanel might also be a fit. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/58 "2006-03-09T14:49:49Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > I think the comparison is off base. > > Clooney is cool, but no one is as cool as Frank. I’m sorry, but when Sinatra got involved with the Mafia, he lost any vestige of cool he might once have possessed. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/59 "2006-03-09T17:49:48Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > I’m sorry, but when Sinatra got involved with the Mafia, he lost any vestige of cool he might once have possessed. Brief hijack here for a Sinatra story. Jay Leno was once asked what was the funniest joke he’d ever heard. Leno said it was a joke [Sheckey Greene](http://www.sheckygreene.com/story.htm) told years ago in his Vegas standup act. The joke: “A lot of people say Frank Sinatra’s a bum. Not me. In fact, Frank saved my life one night. A couple of thugs were beating the hell out me in the parking lot of a casino, and Frank said, ‘OK boys – He’s had enough!’” ---
**Author:** ![jacquilynne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456/60 "2006-03-09T18:30:49Z")
Scarlet Johanssen, clearly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-clooney-just-become-a-hollywood-legend/347456.md?page=2)