Since the first studios were built and the first movies were made, the stars of Hollywood have been admired and idolized. In terms of classy sophistication, two leading men reign supreme, Cary Grant and George Clooney. This suave pair may be similar but they are two very different people. Cary Grant and George Clooney are compared constantly in different aspects. One of the most striking similarities between the two is their physical appearance. Both men are the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. With year-long tans and deep brown eyes, Grant and Clooney look almost related. Another similarity between Cary Grant and George Clooney is their charismatic nature. Movie-goers have been drawn to their aura of class and suavity for decades. Additionally, Grant and Clooney never forgot the importance of charity. Both men were philanthropic and donated either time or money to a number of causes. Grant donated two salaries to two different war efforts. His salary from The Philadelphia Story went to support the British war effort and one-hundred thousand dollars from Arsenic and Old Lace went to the American war effort ("Cary Grant (I) - Biography"). Clooney has donated money to a number of different organizations and even created some of his own. His foundation, Not on Our Watch, was created to help stop the genocide in Sudan ("George Clooney"). Despite their similar looks and charm, Cary Grant and George Clooney’s careers started and developed quite differently. Cary Grant started out as part of a British acrobatic troupe in the early nineteen-hundreds. When the act toured the United States, Grant stayed in New York and began a career on the acting stage. After years of working in plays, he traveled to California to launch his film career. Grant worked for Paramount Studios for years before deciding to fend for himself as a freelance actor. Throughout his career, Cary Grant was known for playing the romantic lead in screwball comedies or dramas. He played that part until he decided to retire after his daughter was born ("Cary Grant (I) - Biography"). Grant had to work his way up from the very bottom to become a successful actor. George Clooney, on the other hand, started out ahead of most. He came from a show business family. His father, Nick, was a television anchor and his aunt was the famous singer, Rosemary Clooney. Clooney followed his cousin, Miguel Ferrer’s footsteps and began to pursue acting. After guest starring on a number of different television shows, he made a major break in film with movies such as From Dusk Till Dawn and One Fine Day. After acting in several movies, Clooney decided to step behind the camera. He directed his first movie, Confessions of Dangerous Mind in 2002. This film was also the first movie he produced ("George Clooney - Biography"). Unlike Grant, Clooney became involved in a number of different aspects of filmmaking. Grant and Clooney not only differ in their careers but also personally and politically. Grant was married five times in his life. Despite all these marriages, he only had one child. His daughter was his world and he once stated that he wished he had had many more ("Cary Grant (I) - Biography"). Clooney, however, was only married once. After his marriage failed, he decided to never marry again and become a lifelong bachelor. Clooney also does not plan on having children. Michele Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman allegedly bet ten-thousand dollars that he would father a child before he turned forty years old. When they lost, Clooney apparently said double or nothing that he would still not have a child by fifty ("George Clooney - Biography"). With regards to politics, the pair is quite dissimilar. Grant believed that actors should stay out politics; that it was not their place. He also supported and was friends with politicians from both political parties such as Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Robert Kennedy ("Cary Grant (I) - Biography"). Clooney does not coincide with Grant’s idea. He is very active in politics and is a proud Democrat. His movies often articulate his political views. Clooney’s political activism and strong liberal beliefs are often mentioned in interviews and speeches made by the actor ("George Clooney - Biography"). In conclusion, Cary Grant and George Clooney’s handsome and charming façade mask their many discrepancies. Politically, personally and professionally, the pair are quite different from each other. With so many differences, it is surprising so many maintain that George Clooney is the “new” Cary Grant.
Works Cited
"Cary Grant (I) - Biography." IMDb. Amazon, 2013. Web. 8 Oct. 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000026/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm#trivia>.
"George Clooney." Look to the Stars. Look to the Stars, 2013. Web. 4 Oct. 2013. <http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/george-clooney>.
"George Clooney - Biography." IMDb. Amazon, 2013. Web. 8 Oct. 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000123/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm>.
