Why George Clooney gave $14 million to his closest friends: 'Without them, I don't have anything'

The actor also revealed that meeting his wife, Amal, 'changed everything'

George Clooney, pictured with wife Amal, has supported Tom Cruise for enforcing safety precautions on set. Getty Images

They are a famously private couple when it comes to their relationship. However, George Clooney has offered rare insight into his life with his wife, Amal, in a new interview.

The Oscar-winning actor, 59, is the subject of an in-depth profile in the December issue of GQ US, which has awarded him their annual Icon of the Year award.

In the wide-reaching interview, the Syriana star revealed that meeting his Beirut-born wife, whom he wed in 2014, "changed everything".

"I was like, 'I'm never getting married. I'm not going to have kids,'" says the actor, who was previously married to actress Talia Balsam.

“I'm going to work, I've got great friends, my life is full, I'm doing well. And I didn't know how un-full it was until I met Amal. And then everything changed. And I was like, 'Oh, actually, this has been a huge empty space'.

"I'd never been in the position where someone else's life was infinitely more important to me than my own. You know? And then tack on two more individuals, who are small and have to be fed ...”

The actor and the human rights lawyer met in 2013, and welcomed twins Ella and Alexander in 2017. Their son even interrupted the actor's Zoom with GQ, with George revealing he had been cutting his children's hair during the pandemic.

“I cut my own hair and I cut my kids' hair and I'm mopping it and vacuuming and doing the laundry and doing the dishes every day,” the star said. “I feel like my mother in 1964."

George also paid tribute to his high-flying wife's achievements, with the interview taking place just hours after Amal quit her role as Britain's special envoy on media freedom.

"Today she's in the middle of sort of standing up against the British government, you know, deciding that they're gonna break international law," George said. “And I'm in here doing this interview.”

The actor, who shot to fame playing Dr Doug Ross on medical drama ER, and Amal, are known for the philanthropic efforts, most recently donating $100,000 in support of those affected by August's port blast in Beirut.

However, George's generosity also extends to his friends, as he confirmed a long-standing rumour that he had given 14 of his confidantes $1 million in cash apiece.

"These guys who've all, over a period of 35 years, helped me in one way or another. I've slept on their couches when I was broke. They loaned me money when I was broke. They helped me when I needed help over the years. And I've helped them over the years," he said. "We're all good friends. And I thought, you know, without them I don't have any of this."