Hollywood icon George Clooney has humorously confessed to being the target of his own children's witty linguistic attacks, admitting he often sits "like an idiot" while they mock him in a language he doesn't understand.
‘They Rip On Me Right In Front Of Me’
During a candid appearance on The Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on Tuesday, the 64-year-old actor shared a hilarious glimpse into his home life with his eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander. He shares the children with his wife, the renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, 47.
The star explained that while he struggles with English, his children are fluent in multiple languages, including French and Italian. This multilingual prowess has become a tool for their playful teasing. "They rip on me right in front of me and I look at them going 'what did you say?' and 'what are you talking about?'" Clooney revealed. "And my wife understands and the rest of the family gets it and I just sit there like an idiot."
When host Jimmy Hill jokingly asked if he needed to intervene, Clooney quipped back with parental wisdom. "Okay, so when you have children you’ll see that they are little but they are evil. They’re rotten to the core those children, you know. And they can break you," he said, before adding the advice: "In fact, just be careful. Maybe just try renting one for a week."
A Deliberate Choice For Family Time
This rare insight into the Clooney household comes as the actor reflected on his decision to start a family later in life. In a separate interview with The Times this weekend, he admitted he "had kids late so I could spend time with them".
He contrasted his current situation with the pressures faced by younger professionals. "It's easier for me. I had kids very late and so I could spend more time with them. But when you're young? That's hard," Clooney stated. He acknowledged that most people starting their careers must sacrifice family time to build a living.
Now, with greater financial security and experience, the Oscar-winner feels he has the luxury of being selective with his projects—a control he didn't have at the beginning. He reminisced about landing the role in 1997's 'Batman & Robin', a moment he and his friends celebrated as a huge break, despite the film's later reputation.
Life Away From the Hollywood Glare
Further prioritising a normal upbringing for his children, Clooney recently disclosed that the family has swapped the spotlight of Los Angeles for a more tranquil life on a farm in France. He believes this move has given his twins a "much better life", allowing them to grow up away from constant public attention.
The actor's charming tales of domestic linguistic warfare and conscious parenting choices paint a picture of a star content with his role as a sometimes-baffled father, happily outsmarted by his brilliantly bilingual eight-year-olds.
