Posted on 10/29/2006 11:32:37 PM PST by MadIvan
The Hollywood star George Clooney, who has been cheering up pensioners with secret visits to OAP's homes, was turned away on one visit after staff failed to recognise him.
The Ocean's Eleven star has spent hours chatting to pensioners and giving them DVDs and videos of classic films and his own blockbusters.
The former ER star has been turning up on his Harley Davidson for the visits to the Sacred Heart rest home at Dizzasco near Como in northern Italy, a few miles from his villa at Laglio on Lake Como where he spends much of the year.
Clooney's request that staff keep his visits secret backfired when he was shown the door by a member of staff who had not heard of him and was put off by his motorcycling gear.
Despite attempts to convince the door man, Clooney had to leave and take his gifts with him.
Clooney's publicist Stan Rosenfield said: "George does this sort of thing but it's not for public recognition. I wouldn't want to say anything else. It's a private matter."
I wonder if they know that his aunt is Rosemary Clooney.
"The idiot is the worst actor I have ever seen."
Agreed. I've never seen someone so full of himself. The guy should definitely take some classes. He stinks!
Anyone who goes to visit strangers at an old aged home deserves respect. And the fact that it hasn't been publicised deserves even more.
If you've never been to one of those places to visit a relative, it's hard to put into words how depressing they can be. I understand that many people simply aren't able to give the sort of care that many elderly need, and really don't have any choice. But the places often feel as if they're "parking lots" for people just waiting to die. I know that when my mother could no longer care for my grandfather at home, he needed to go to one of those places for the care he needed, and he deteriorated very quickly. And just recently, when an 85 year old Aunt needed to go to one, just for a short time - not permanent - to recover from an operation, she didn't seem to understand that it was only going to be for a few weeks, she seemed to lose her will to live, and died in less than 3 weeks.
These places can be SO depressing, and there are so many lonely people there. Any relief, especially from someone they may know of, is most welcome.
As I said, George Clooney has won some new found respect from me. While I still disagree with his politics, I'll say it here: "George Clooney is doing some good in the world!"
Mark
It won't be too long until good old George is in a nursing home himself. Maybe we can all go see him.
This narcissist is ALL about publicity and trying to win back some respect. Looks like some here have fallen for it.
I agree entirely. For someone with his wealth to go spend time w/ folks in nursing homes and not publish it is a very stand-up act indeed.
It is fair to say that it would be hard for him to publicly visit old folks like this without fans or autograph hounds causing a commotion or security issues.
It is also plausible that word got around about a famous actor who got refused access to an old folks home. A lot of people know who Clooney is and any one of them could have started the word-of-mouth domino that eventually reached some reporter at the Telegraph.
I appreciate your frustration. I hate it when good things happen to bad people and, reflexively, I feel the same way when somebody "bad" gets publicity for doing something that I consider good. It tarnishes my bad opinion of them. ;-)
If the article is accurate, Clooney shows up like anybody else (i.e., dressed average and without an entourage), and brings free videos and conversation to old folks who probably have an otherwise dreary life experience. It's just a nice and right thing to do. When people do good things like this it benefits everybody involved.
I'd rather encourage that kind of behavior with open respect than discourage it with suspicion and scorn.
Hey, Ivan. Is that your Mrs that you're pinging? Mad & the Mrs. Cool! I love you "across the pond" perspectives.
As for Clooney. I think, I hope he does have a good heart & he enjoys his rambles in Italy. I'm just no fan of his politics.
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