I don't have any regrets like my character... m kids still like me!

His latest role is that of Jay Kelly, a huge Hollywood star on the downslope of his career... not that George Clooney can relate to any of that.

- GABRIELLE DONNELLY

The 64-year-old admits some fans have asked him where Jay Kelly ends and George Clooney begins.

But he insists there are some crucial differences.

"He's a d**k," says George, laughing.

"He's like Frankenstein's monster.

"You remember how Frankenstein's monster kills the little girl by throwing her into the water because he's run out of flowers to throw in and she's there? "Everybody I go through, I happily destroy their lives along the way!" In the film, out later this month, Jay is bitter, divorced and lonely. His kids hate him and his friends with the exception of agent Ron, played by George's real-life friend Adam Sandler - are turning their backs on him.

By contrast, George is happy with his place in the world, both on-screen and off it. He adds: "I don't really relate to this character because I don't have anything like the regrets this guy has.

"I have a very different life than he does. All the people that I've worked with, they still work with me. And you know, my kids like me." His face softens as he thinks of the small twins, Ella and Alexander, that he and his wife Amal Clooney had in 2017.

"I mean," he adds, hastily turning any hint of sentimentality into a joke, "they're eight. They could change. But at this point they still like me."

George had a whale of a time working with awardwinning director Noah Baumbach, of Marriage Story and Barbie fame not to mention old pal Adam.

"Everything I've ever done is an Adam Sandler film," he jokes with a sidelong glance at his buddy, who is sitting next to him and chuckling throughout our chat.