George Clooney revealed that his wife, Amal Clooney, and their two kids are going to laugh at him for dyeing his hair after he landed his role for his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck.
“My wife is going to hate it because nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair,” George, 63, told The New York Times in an interview published on Thursday, February 20.
George is portraying CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow in the production, and he had to dye his salt-and-pepper hair black in order to fully get into character. “My kids are going to just laugh at me nonstop,” he jokingly said, referring to his and Amal’s 7-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella.
In addition to dyeing his hair for the role, George revealed he also had to perfect his “inhaling” for to play the character. Edward – who died at the age of 57 in 1965 after a battle with lung cancer – typically smoked three packs of cigarettes a day.
“I go outside so the kids don’t see and smoke a little bit,” he explained of his preparation process, adding that he plans to use herbal cigarettes while performing on stage.
George went on to explain that he’s not a fan of smoking because his “eight uncles and aunts all died of lung cancer.” Meanwhile, his father never smoked and is still alive today at the age of 91.
The Broadway version of Good Night, and Good Luck is familiar to George, who previously appeared in the 2005 film adaptation as TV producer Fred Friendly.
When George isn’t focused on preparing for the show, he’s spending quality time with Amal, 47, and their kids. “My son’s favorite hero is Batman. I’m like, ‘You know I was Batman.’ He’s like, ‘Not really.’ I go, ‘You have no idea how right you are,’” George told the outlet, referring to his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1997’s Batman & Robin. “If he knew that I was that Batman, he’d never have respect for me.”
One way he loves to bond with his kids is by going bowling. “I haven’t been bowling in 30 years. Oh my God! It’s an amazing thing, getting older, where you think you can still do stuff that you love,” he shared, reflecting on a recent outing to the bowling lanes with his family.
Despite welcoming his kids later in life, George said that Alexander and Ella have managed to keep him young. “We’re riding in the car to school, and I make them listen to heavy metal because I just like it when they sing,” he shared. “My daughter has fallen in love with tragic songs. She loves Billie Eilish’s ‘What Was I Made For?’ and Harry Nilsson’s ‘Without You.’ But they’re happy kids, so I’m really lucky.”
George also previously opened up about moving to New York City with his family for his latest gig. “They love New York! Amal went to NYU, so she’s been here many times,” he said while appearing on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, adding that the family was “having a really fun time” in NYC so far.
“I mean, come on, how do you not love this, it’s New York City,” George continued. “They love being here.”
