George Clooney is now a farmer in France, drives tractor
What's the story
Hollywood icon George Clooney has swapped the glitz of Tinseltown for the tranquility of the French countryside.
The actor-director recently revealed to the New York Times that he and his wife Amal Clooney, and their seven-year-old twins Alexander and Ella, mostly live on a farm.
Despite owning homes in England and Kentucky near his family, Clooney has opted for the calm of rural life.
Rural revival
Clooney's unexpected return to farming roots
Clooney, who grew up in Kentucky, had once tried to escape the farming life.
He told NYT, "Growing up in Kentucky, all I wanted to do was get away from a farm, get away from that life."
But now, he is back to it. "Now I find myself back in that life. I drive a tractor and all those things. It's the best chance of a normal life."
Personal insights
Clooney's reflections on aging and family life
Clooney, now 63, also spoke about aging and family life. He said his twins keep him active and young.
"We're riding in the car to school and I make them listen to heavy metal because I just like it when they sing," he said.
Despite the difficulties of growing older, Clooney finds joy in simple pleasures like bowling—a hobby he hadn't pursued for 30 years until recently.
Stage adaptation
Clooney's preparation for Broadway debut
Apart from farming, Clooney is also gearing up for his Broadway debut. He will be playing Edward R. Murrow in a stage adaptation of his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck.
The role involved smoking, even though he didn't like it because of a family history of lung cancer.
"I had to get better at inhaling," Clooney told the NYT about this part of his character preparation.