George Clooney Talks 'The Ides Of March' And Insomnia

George Clooney is an insomniac, but he could suffer from worse ailments. After all, he wrote one of the most memorable lines in 2011's "The Ides Of March" during a particularly restless bout of sleeplessness.

"I woke and sat down and wrote the whole scene in the kitchen between Ryan [Gosling] and myself," Clooney told The Hollywood Reporter of waking up in the middle of the night. "'You want to be president... You can start a war, you can lie, you can cheat, you can bankrupt the country, but you can't f--- the intern.'"

Clooney, who wrote, directed, and acted in the critically acclaimed "Ides" and earned an Oscar nomination for "The Descendants" in 2011, assures that any recognition he receives is out of his control.

"My job is to try to make films that last longer than an opening weekend," he told Brian Williams on "Rock Center." "And then if someone's nice to you at the end of the year -- and they've been nice and they've been mean -- my job is to try to make films that I think are entertaining."

For more on Clooney, click over to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Comments

[Peter Hahn]

08:41 PM on 04/24/2012

I've come up with many of my best ideas too while struggling with insomnia in the middle of the night. That said, insomnia sucks. I use white noise to help me sleep. Just google it or search for it on youtube, and you can find lots of great white noise tracks. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNqERBWaJeM

[Cybercatxq]

09:58 AM on 02/17/2012

Insomnia seemed to befall me when I hit age 55 - it was not so bad losing sleep as I can't stand wasting my productive hours asleep. And with a child and animals to tend to, the middle of the night is sometimes the only peaceful moments I can catch for myself. The internet, a bubble bath and a good book all seem to appease me when I just cannot get back to sleep. But more than anything else, it's lovely to watch the day break in the quiet solitude of my backyard or living room window. As a teen I dreaded the early hours of the day and being alone, now I rather appreciate it more.

[MissingAmerica]

03:08 AM on 02/17/2012

I'm a huge fan of this guy. Who'da thought we'd have anything in common?! Insomnia! Guess I've settled into mine after decades of putting up with it. Sadly, unlike George, mine does not bring me moments of inspiration. It brings me exhaustion and 2:00 a.m. food fests! I'm so jealous!

[dylethan]

11:37 PM on 02/16/2012

He really is promoting himself for that Oscar. Desperate.

[cdchicago]

08:47 PM on 02/16/2012

I love this guy. He is so nice and practical. I just wish he did not make movies where the hero keeps dying at the end.

[jerryatthebeach]

08:42 PM on 02/16/2012

Most people with genious IQ sleep 4-5 hours per night with 15 minute catnaps during the day. It sucks, but what can you do???

[Parade Keegan]

08:08 PM on 02/16/2012

I've been intermitently looking at this article and laughing all day, "Genius George", LOL I don't think so. He may be a nice guy but he's not a genius, has anyone heard him in an interview? LOL

[totalliberal]

09:43 PM on 02/16/2012

Yes. And you can judge genius how? Behave yourself....... BEHAVE YOURSELF.

[Parade Keegan]

10:37 PM on 02/16/2012

"Genius" is obvious, it's stupidity that isn't obvious.

[doris french]

07:39 PM on 02/16/2012

I love me some George Cloony. My favorite is http://amzn.to/yQkAxB

[notaniceguy]

07:35 PM on 02/16/2012

I don't see him as "Genius George" , more like a "Curious George"

[Clay Brogdon]

07:40 PM on 02/16/2012

lol agreed

[Caroleeena]

03:00 AM on 02/17/2012

Curiosity is a hallmark of genius. Even Einstein said so. I realize you were trying to be rude but you actually stumbled onto a truth -- even though you are notaniceguy.

[notaniceguy]

10:26 AM on 02/17/2012

"Even Einstein said so"

The fact he was Albert Einstein, doesn't mean you have to quote him on unrelated subjects. I suspect you are secret admirer of talent-less George even so I am not a profiler.

[echelonokie]

05:22 PM on 02/16/2012

Where are you all seeing the word "genius"??

[Caroleeena]

03:00 AM on 02/17/2012

It was in the headline on the main page.

[Cibeles]

04:55 PM on 02/16/2012

If George would put it away for one night he'd get some sleep.

[SpeakupNation]

05:30 PM on 02/16/2012

I wouldn't put it away were I him.

[LifeisGOOD007]

04:28 PM on 02/16/2012

Clooney and the word genius in the same sentence? Gah Uh No.

[Salukeitis]

04:38 PM on 02/16/2012

"genius" Ha! He's a lucky guy who looks 60.

[MarieNat]

04:19 PM on 02/16/2012

"Genius" would be overstating it just a little. I like his politics more than his acting. And he's a competent director. But genius?? We're lowering the bar a bit I think.

[SpeakupNation]

05:31 PM on 02/16/2012

I think Clooney is actually a very good actor - better than most modern film lead actors in Hollywood certainly.

[riverhouse]

04:16 PM on 02/16/2012

What genius? Did he win the Nobel for medicine? Prove Einstein wrong?

[cocolola]

03:40 PM on 02/16/2012

I've been an insomniac for years. Wish that I could write a great script like that when I can't sleep. Don't mess with intern is one of my new favorite movie quotes. George, it may not be genius, but it's damn clever writing at the very least.