- Title: USA: George Clooney receives a Kennedy Center award for his humanitarian work
- Date: 19th November 2010
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 17, 2010) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGE CLOONEY, HOLLYWOOD MEGASTAR AND A 2010 RIPPLE OF HOPE AWARDS DINNER HONOREE, SAYING: "We have a chance here of finding a peace deal between North and South Sudan. A couple of million people died the last time they went to war. Senator Kerry has taken a lead but it's being handled also directly by Secretary Clinton, President Obama -- they're personally involved. It means negotiating with people that leave a bad taste in your mouth quite honestly. We're so close but it has to be sustained and that takes political will and there is an awful lot of will right here in this room." NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 17, 2010) (REUTERS) GEORGE CLOONEY AND CANALIS ON THE RED CARPET A VIDEOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGE CLOONEY, HOLLYWOOD MEGASTAR AND A 2010 RIPPLE OF HOPE AWARDS DINNER HONOREE, SAYING: "I know, I heard. I'm very happy for him and I'm also happy that it's not Brad." PRESIDENT, RFK CENTER FOR JUSTICE & HUMAN RIGHTS KERRY KENNEDY ALONG WITH SOME ATTENDEES OF THE 2010 RIPPLE OF HOPE AWARDS DINNER (SOUNDBITE) (English) KERRIE KENNEDY, PRESIDENT, RFK CENTER FOR JUSTICE & HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYING: "He's taken that asset of recognition and instead of expending it on his own pleasure, he's used it to focus the international spotlight on Darfur, on Sudan, on Haiti, on Chad, on people and places that really need the spotlight." VARIOUS OF ACTRESS GLORIA REUBEN ON THE RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLORIA REUBEN, ACTRESS WHO WORKED WITH GEORGE CLOONEY IN THE TV SERIES, "ER" SAYING: "We all know plenty of actors who are very successful, who do a number of things to make a difference, whatever their motivation or cause may be. But George kind of takes it to the next level. He really just, he doesn't have to do it and yet he does, and that's what I think is key." NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 17, 2010) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CLOONEY ON STAGE WITH AN AWARD SHAWL DRAPED OVER ONE OF HIS SHOULDERS
- Embargoed: 4th December 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVABVW5YJXZQQSICF0BIDZWGYEDD
- Story Text: He's known for his dashing lead roles in some of Hollywood's biggest films. But he's also well recognized for his diverse range of humanitarian work in places such as Darfur, Sudan; Chad and Haiti. On Wednesday (November 17) George Clooney was honored for the latter -- the dedicated philanthropic work he has done over many years.
Clooney was celebrated at the 2010 Ripple of Hope Awards Dinner held by The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in New York City. The organization is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing human rights and is supported by many in the Kennedy clan.
Before the awards ceremony, the man once named the Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine walked the red carpet along with his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, his mother Nina Warren and his father Nick Clooney. Heading into the ceremony, Clooney said, "It's nice to be able to bring some attention to some of the other people here who do a lot more work than I do." He also admitted to being inspired by his father -- a well known journalist.
Nick Clooney acknowledged the fact that as a celebrity, his son didn't need to tackle the tough causes and praised the younger Clooney for doing so "because they're the right thing to do."
Clooney has worked to reduce the violence in the conflict ridden Darfur region of Sudan. He co-founded "Not on our Watch" in 2007 along with actors such as Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle, to focus global attention on ending atrocities in places such as Darfur, Burma and Zimbabwe. The actor has also traveled to China and Egypt to personally appeal to Chinese and Egyptian officials to use their influence with the Sudanese government.
After receiving the 2010 Ripple of Hope Award, Clooney reflected on the current situation in Sudan.
"We have a chance here of finding a peace deal between North and South Sudan. A couple of million people died the last time they went to war. Senator Kerry has taken a lead but it's being handled also directly by Secretary Clinton, President Obama -- they're personally involved. It means negotiating with people that leave a bad taste in your mouth quite honestly. We're so close but it has to be sustained and that takes political will and there is an awful lot of will right here in this room," said Clooney.
Despite all the focus on his do-good work Wednesday evening, on the red carpet Clooney couldn't escape questions on things other than his his charitable work. The actor has twice been named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine. But in 2010, the honor went to actor Ryan Reynolds. When asked for his reaction, Clooney displayed the good-natured humor he's famous for. "I know, I heard. I'm very happy for him (Ryan) and I'm also happy that it's not Brad," the actor said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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