Why He's No. 1

Clooney has turned from playboy to pundit in recent years with films like Good Night, and Good Luck and Syriana, both of which actively question world policies while drawing controversial parallels to the President's current administration. Not content to simply hide behind a camera lens, Clooney has also publicly called for America to help end the genocide in Sudan's Darfur region.

Despite his humanitarian interests, don't expect this Lexington, Kentucky, native and self-described liberal to turn to politics full-time. "Run for office? No. I've slept with too many women, I've done too many drugs, and I've been to too many parties," he says.

A well-spoken, talented thespian with a humanitarian side... Just when you thought Clooney couldn't possibly make you feel any more inept, it's no surprise that he raises the bar by adding "accomplished ladies man" to the mix. Clooney has dated a string of beautiful women including Ren?e Zellweger and Kelly Preston, as well as a bevy of beauties outside of the industry.

It is for these reasons that People magazine chose Clooney as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1996, as the Sexiest Man Alive in 1997 and as one of the Top 50 Bachelors in 2002.

Back Stage

Look for Clooney to maintain his high profile in the year ahead as he stars in The Good German, Michael Clayton and Ocean's Thirteen. He'll also step behind the camera for the fourth time in his career to direct Leatherheads, a romantic comedy starring Ren?e Zellweger. "Directing is really exciting," he admits. "In the end, it's more fun to be the painter than the paint."

Forcaste

George Clooney first shot to fame in 1994 as medical heartthrob Dr. Douglas Ross on ER. This ruggedly handsome bachelor has since made a seamless transition onto the big screen with starring roles in Three Kings (1999), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Ocean's Eleven (2001), and Syriana (2005) -- for which he was awarded a Best Supporting Actor Oscar and a Golden Globe.

But Clooney is much more than a handsome man with solid acting chops; he's also an accomplished writer and director, and his talent for these crafts were acknowledged as 2005's Good Night, and Good Luck -- which he directed and wrote -- received two Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay. He made his mark in Oscar history as he became the first person to be nominated for directing one movie and acting in another in the same year.

"You have only a short period of time in your life to make your mark," he says, "and I'm there now."