George to Receive Emmy Humanitarian Award

Actor George Clooney, who led a galaxy of stars in a January telethon fundraiser for Haiti’s earthquake victims, will receive a special Emmy Award on Aug. 29 for his humanitarian efforts.

The 49-year-old Hollywood star will be honoured for hosting the Hope for Haiti Now television special, as well as his efforts to raise funds for victims of hurricane Katrina and raise awareness of the crisis in Darfur.

“George was an obvious choice for this honour,” said John Shaf fner, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy.

“He has understood and harnessed the power of television, the most powerful medium of our time, to reach into the hearts of people around the world and compelled us to (act) on behalf of those in sudden and desperate need, as well as those tragically oppressed in Darfur.”

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was established in 2002. Clooney will be its fourth recipient.

Clooney is also a producer, screenwriter and Oscar-winning director.

He has joined other humanitarian campaigns, such as when he backed then-British prime minister Gordon Brown in calling for the release of Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Like my own father, George is a person who looks beyond himself to use his celebrity for good, to make a difference in the world and to inspire others to do the same,” said Hope’s daughter, Linda.

Previous recipients of the awards were Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Danny Thomas, who received it posthumously in 2004.

The American – New Trailer

George Joins Council on Foreign Relations

Meet the newest member of the Council on Foreign Relations: George Clooney. The Oscar winner has been granted life membership in the prestigious think tank — Charlie Rose and NYT columnist Nick Kristof nominated him. CFR’s vice president Lisa Shields cited the actor’s advocacy on the Darfur crisis and the “importance of non-traditional voices” in foreign policy. (Michael Douglas and Warren Beatty are also life members; Angelina Jolie scored a term memberships set aside for junior wonks in 2007.) In a statement via CFR, Clooney said, “I’m honored to have been nominated… And I hear the initiation ritual is wild.”

The American – Information & Trailer

George’s latest project The American is to released September 1, 2010. The synopsis is: Academy Award winner George Clooney stars in the title role of this suspense thriller, filmed on location in Italy. Alone among assassins, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry (Bruce Altman) that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of “In Bruges”), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian stage and screen veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

Director Anton Corbijn has been keeping a blog of his experiences working on the film.  His blog is regularly updated and can be read here: http://www.TheAmericanBlog.com.

Please also check out The American’s Official Site, Facebook Page and Focus Feature’s Twitter!

Up In The Air – Screen Caps

Here are a ton of amazing screen captures featuring George Clooney from the DVD for Up in the Air. Enjoy!

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