George Clooney Claps Back: Critics Beware!

GEORGE CLOONEY UNLEASHES FURY AT CRITICS WHO SAY HE ONLY PLAYS HIMSELF IN MOVIES

The always charming and always outspoken George Clooney has hit back at his detractors, firing a scathing verbal broadside at critics who claim he only plays himself in his movies.

At 64 years young, the Hollywood hunk has had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor under his belt for his powerful performance in Syriana. He's also won numerous other accolades and has been a household name since the early days of ER, where he played the dashing Dr. Doug Ross.

But despite his success, Clooney has faced criticism that he's not versatile enough as an actor, with some accusing him of playing himself in every role. And let me tell you, George does not take kindly to this kind of criticism. In a recent interview with Variety, he was asked about the doubts surrounding his range as an actor, and his response was nothing short of spectacular.

"Do people say that I only play myself? I don't give a sht," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "There aren't that many guys in my age group who are allowed to do both broad comedies like O Brother [Where Art Thou?] and then do Michael Clayton or Syriana. So if that means I'm playing myself all the time, I don't give a sht."

But it's not just his acting range that's under scrutiny - Clooney has also faced criticism for his recent decision to step back from romantic comedies. In an interview with 60 Minutes, he revealed that he's simply aged out of this particular genre.

"Look, I'm 63 years old, I'm not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men," he admitted. "That's not my job. I'm not doing romantic films anymore."

But here's the thing - part of what has made Clooney so popular is that he's charming enough to make non-romantic comedies feel like traditional rom-coms. Take his blockbuster hit Ocean's 11, for example. Although it's a heist comedy thriller, the tension and humor he brings to every scene with his co-star Julia Roberts makes it feel like a classic romantic comedy.

And let's not forget some of his other iconic roles - from Out Of Sight to Intolerable Cruelty, Clooney has consistently shown that he can bring both charm and gravitas to any role. Even in traditional romantic dramas like Ticket To Paradise, which grossed nearly $169 million against a $60 million budget, he's able to bring just enough comedy to make it feel like a rom-com.

So what's behind his decision to step back from this particular genre? According to Clooney, it's simply a matter of age and experience. "I've been the beneficiary of having my career not be massively successful in lots of different directions," he explained. "I didn't really get successful until I was 33 years old [when ER began]. I'd been working for 12 years at that point. I had a real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly."

And let's not forget his personal life - Clooney is now a married man with children, rather than one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors as he was at the height of his commercial potential.

"I've had my fair share of romantic comedies," he said wryly. "I've made some great ones, and I've made some not-so-great ones. But at the end of the day, it's time for me to move on."

So there you have it - George Clooney has come out swinging against his critics, and in doing so, has reminded us all why he's one of the most beloved stars in Hollywood.