Clooney's efforts mark a certain coming of age, as the 46-year-old actor/director/screenwriter tries to move beyond the glitter of Hollywood to find his true voice. It also comes with realizing the power -- and the limitations -- of stardom, knowing when to push and when to hold back.

Clooney has no such reservations about Darfur. "If celebrity is a credit card, then I'm using it," Clooney said. "I knew I had to shine light on this situation."

His efforts to raise awareness about the war there have gained him the respect of his Hollywood elders.

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The actor has been to the United Nations, twice. He's traveled with actor Don Cheadle and Olympians Joey Cheek and Tegla Loroupe on a diplomatic mission to China and Egypt, where they pressed officials to use their power to intervene in Sudan. He has a team of advisors (young, hip former members of President Bill Clinton's State Department). They keep him constantly informed on the developments in Darfur as well as in other parts of Africa.

Recently, he formed a foundation -- along with "Ocean's Thirteen" costars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Cheadle -- to assist the victims of the Darfur conflict. The actors held a fundraiser for their foundation on a yacht at the Cannes Film Festival last month. They took in more than $9 million in one night.

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